Teen killed in car crash

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 02 July 2018, 12:00AM

A 17-year-old boy was killed in a car crash on Sunday night with the police taking in a man for questioning.

Pictures of a white car that appeared to have smashed on impact into a power pole were uploaded on social media. 

The crash occurred at Saleufi in front of the Mai Company premises.

The victim was identified as Orlando Manulelia. 

This was confirmed by his older brother, Poutoa, during an interview yesterday with Samoa Observer.

“We were at the sea wall on the night of the incident then he left to use the lavatory. We kept waiting for him until a man came in the taxi and told us that there’s a crash at Saleufi. We came to see and that’s when we saw my brother’s vehicle,” he said.

“We tried to pull him out but he was stuck inside and then the Fire and Emergency Service as well as the police came and they managed to pull him out.”

The family is puzzled over how he died. Poutoa said the crash occurred ‘on the other side of the road’.

“But what we don’t get is how did he crash and ended up on the other side of the road because he was coming from the town area. The police took his mate as well as his vehicle in for question and up until now he is still there.”

Orlando was rushed to the hospital on Sunday night but was not able to recover from his injuries. 

Speaking with tears in his eyes, Poutoa said his younger brother wanted to be an engineer like his father when he grew up. 

“I miss him I mean we all miss him. He loves cars and especially racing, he participated at the car show during Independence Day. 

He was unique in his own ways and he loves teasing me with his car…its shocking and we are still coming to terms that he’s gone.”

Orlando was in Year 11 at the Saint Joseph’s College. 

The Police issued a statement about the crash yesterday.

It reads: “The accident causing death occurred on Sunday 1st July 2018 at around 11pm. Police were called to Vaea street and confirmed that an 18 year old male of Tuanaimato and Alafua crashed into an E.P.C. pole along Vaea Street and he was instantly killed."

“He was driving a white Subaru vehicle registration 18051. Preliminary investigation reveals that no other person was in the vehicle at the time and speeding was involved. The driver died at the scene of the accident.”

The Police are urging young drivers to be responsible on the road and to avoid unnecessary speeding.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 02 July 2018, 12:00AM
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