Police in Honiara have formally arrested and placed in custody a 39-year-old vehicle driver for causing the death of a 70-year-old male during an accident in Central Honiara on 14 October 2017.
The deceased passed away at the National Referral Hospital on the night of 15 October 2017.
Police have already charged the driver with driving with the presence of alcohol above the prescribed level in his blood, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle and driving an uninsured motor vehicle. But he is yet to be formally charged with causing the death of the deceased through reckless driving.
“The incident occurred along the Mbokonavera Road, opposite the Holy Cross Cathedral, when the 15-seater bus that was heading towards the main road allegedly hit the deceased as he was trying to cross the pedestrian crossing. It was alleged that the deceased was under the influence of liquor,” says Staff Sergeant George Mouli of the Kukum Traffic Centre.
Staff Sergeant Mouli adds: “The driver reported the matter to the Honiara City Council and he was referred to the Police. A breathalyser was conducted and the driver was positive with a reading over the prescribed alcohol in his blood.”
“Police once again reminds all drivers and of cause pedestrians to take care when using our roads. The drivers of our public buses have the extra responsibility of taking care of their passengers. All public vehicle owners must also make sure that their vehicles are licensed and insured,” says Staff Sergeant Mouli.
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.