A 45-year-old man from Samalaeulu convicted of drunk driving and negligent driving causing death has been jailed for two years.
This is in connection to an incident that occurred last year in Pu’apu’a Savaii where the defendnat who was under the influence of alcohol fell asleep at the wheel and ran over three young men killing one man and injuring the others.
Sentencing for Mu Vaamainuu was handed down by Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke.
According to the Police summary of facts after work, the defendant consumed alcohol in the afternoon and proceeded to a nightclub in Salelologa. After dropping off his colleague and when he was near the bridge on the main road at Pu’apu’a, he fell asleep and lost control of his vehicle.
“And veered off the main road into a group of people on the side of the road. The group of people were villagers who had been attending a Tausala that evening at the Catholic Church across the main road.
As a result, one person was killed and three injured, all young males.”
Justice Clarke in his judgement and sentencing noted the defendant’s falling asleep while driving was not momentary inattention.
“It was the end product of a process of feeling tired from various contributing factors, including alcohol at the end of a work day driving at night.
“By driving in those circumstances, you showed what is described in the sentencing authorities as a selfish disregard for the safety of other road users.”
For the charge of negligent driving causing death, he was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months imprisonment in addition, his driver’s license has also been suspended for three years.
