A 37 year old minivan driver has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for the death of a passenger in 2011.
Tevita Yabakivou of Drasa Lautoka was charged with one count of dangerous driving occasioning in death, two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, one count of driving without a driver’s license and one count of contravening the condition of 3rd party policy risk.
In June 2011, the minivan driven by Yabakivou – which was carrying seven passengers hit a bus from the back at Ellington Drive in Rakiraki.
The front passenger died as a result of the impact of the accident and two other passengers were seriously injured.
They were traveling from Korovou, Tailevu to Lautoka. In the court proceedings, 14 witnesses testified that Yabakivou drank kava and liquor until 3am before driving at around 7am.
Director Traffic SSP Mahesh Mishra says with the festive season here, drivers need to take this case as a warning that if you’re going to consume alcohol, do not drive.
He adds, pedestrians need to also be vigilant and take every precaution.
Police in conjunction with the Land Transport Authority launched Operation Tatarovi last week to crack down on traffic offenders.
61 people have died on roads so far compared to 49 last year.
