2 CRASHES, 2 MORE DEAD
Road incidents claim the lives of a 51-year-old near Veisari, and a 56-year-old in Ba
The vehicle driven by kava planter, Napolioni Sugunavanua (inset photo), after it collided with another vehicle being driven by former Fiji rugby international Filimoni Delasau. Mr Sugunavanua, 56, died instantly. Three passengers who were inside his vehicle have been admitted to the Lautoka Hospital and are believed to in serious condition. The road accident took place in Ba early yesterday morning. Police believe Mr Sugunavanua and his three passengers had been drinking. It is also believed that Police had tried to halt the vehicle, but it did not stop. It then smashed into Mr Delasau’s vehicle. Police take away the vehicle belonging to Timoci Naibiriki Wilson, 51, who died after his car collided with an ambulance near Veisari. Police say the ambulance was travelling towards Nabukavesi. It was believed to be on its way to the Fiji Car Club drag race at the Nanuku Aerodrome in Deuba. Investigations are continuing.
Aroad accident in Ba has claimed the life of a kava planter and left four others hospitalised and in serious condition. The accident occurred after the vehicle that the kava planter, Napolioni Sugunavanua, was driving, smashed head on into a vehicle being driven by former Fiji rugby star Filimoni Delasau yesterday morning. Mr Sugunavanua, who was a 56-year-old man from Maruru Settlement in Ba, died instantly.
His sister, Ateca Dravi, a teacher at Tuvu Primary School and two of her teacher friends, Rusiate Wadali, of Natabua High School and Rusila, of Bulileke Primary School were also in the vehicle and are now admitted at the Lautoka Hospital and are all in serious condition. Mr Delasau was discharged from Ba Hospital yesterday with leg injuries while a passenger in his vehicle, (a twin cab with registration SOULS), Amena Dela, 42, of Nailaga Ba was in critical condition at the Lautoka Hospital. Police believe Mr Sugunavanua and his three passengers were drinking at the time of the incident. It is also believed that Police had tried to halt the vehicle, but it did not stop and during a pursuit it smashed into Mr Delasau’s vehicle. The incident happened at around 4.15am on the King’s Road at Wailailai, in Ba as Mr Sugunavanua was turning right into Itatoko Road and smashed into Mr Dealasau’s vehicle. Mr Sugunavanua’s brother-in-law, Vilive Lauroko said the four were at Maruru on Saturday night. He said they left before 4am in Mr Sugunavanua’s white Toyota Cresida, (registration CS 099), to drop off someone at Vatiaka. His family are still in shock after being informed by Police about the accident. Mr Sugunavanua’s wife, Lilieta Buna, and the couple’s 13-year-old son were too distraught to make any comments. Mr Lauroko said Mr Sugunavanua had a kava plantation in Korolevu Village in Navosa, but stayed in Maruru with his family.
Police said all necessary actions were taken at the scene of accident. A postmortem will be conducted on the deceased. Both vehicles were towed to the station for examination by LTA.
Police believe Mr Sugunavanua and his three passengers were drinking at the time of the incident. It is also believed that Police had tried to halt the vehicle, but it did not stop and during a pursuit it smashed into Mr Delasau’s vehicle.