A 61-year-old man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after the Supreme Court found his negligent driving caused the death of a six-year-old girl in a tragic road accident in Mulivai.

Alesana Kuresa, a father of seven from Siumu, appeared before Judge Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa last month, where he pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death under the Road Traffic Ordinance 1960. The court heard the victim was walking home from Mulivai Primary School on 17 March 2023 when she was struck by Kuresa’s Toyota Hilux pickup as she attempted to cross the road.

Despite briefly stopping, Kuresa drove away from the scene. The child was rushed to the hospital but died days later after being in a coma. A post-mortem confirmed she suffered severe traumatic head injuries due to the impact.

In sentencing, Justice Tuatagaloa said the case did not fall under “momentary inattention” but rather involved speeding in a school zone with children present. “His decision to maintain such speed, despite the foreseeable risk, remains a critical factor in assessing his culpability.” 

The court acknowledged Kuresa’s remorse, being a first offender, and the ifoga (customary apology) presented by his family to the victim’s family, which was accepted. As part of the reconciliation, 20 fine mats and $3,000 were given to assist with funeral costs.

Prosecutors had pushed for a custodial sentence, citing the severity of the injuries and the fact that Kuresa left the scene. Defence counsel argued for a non-custodial term, calling the incident an error of judgment, not recklessness.

The final sentence reflected a starting point of three years, with reductions granted for his early guilty plea, customary reconciliation, clean record, and character references from his family, village leaders, and employer.

Kuresa was also disqualified from holding a driver’s license for 18 months.

The victim, whose name was withheld for privacy, was described in the Victim Impact Report as a joyful child deeply loved by her family.