A driver who apparently fell asleep at the wheel before his taxi flipped over on Friday morning, will likely at least face a careless driving charge, the Acting Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Keti said.

There is a continuing Police investigation into the incident, involving a taxi from the 'Fatu o Aiga' taxi stand, occured early on Friday morning.

"[A] preliminary investigation [has found the] driver slept behind the wheel. Yes, careless driving for now until investigation is completed then additional charges will be filed," she said in a response via email to Samoa Observer.

The front of the taxi was damaged by the incident, and Papalii said, the driver is injured. But she did not elaborate on the state of his injuries. 

One witness said he did not know how the accident was caused but when he arrived at its scene the car was upside down with the Police already present.

"I didn't know there was a car accident happening in our village, I just walked by and saw the car upside down right there, but the police were surrounding the car and inspecting it," he said.

"I cannot really say if there was any passenger or if it was just the driver, because I didn't see it. I can only say that the car did flip here but no one got hurt."

When the Samoa Observer arrived, the car was being towed away by an Uhrle Auto Repair truck and taken to Lotopa.

Papalii has advised drivers to exercise caution and to follow the traffic rules, to make sure to rest for their own safety - and that of others.

"Drive safely and adhere to road rules and traffic laws. [We] urge drivers to be vigilant on our roads and it is a must that to rest and recuperate," she said. 

"Safety is everyone’s responsibility."

Last month, a vehicle also flipped at Tuanai with the driver escaping injuries and joking that his vehicle just needed a shower.