A father of a teenager who was hit by a car while walking in Samabula is urging all drivers to practice road safety at all times.

Ram Subhash’s 19-year-old daughter, Neha Nikita, was on her way to school along Lakeba Street in Samabula when she was hit by a vehicle last Friday.

“She was doing what she usually does. Walk to school. We live in Nausori, but Neha studies at the University of Fiji, so it is easier for her if she lives in Samabula,” he said.

“We found that after the accident she was in quite a lot of pain. So we took her to the hospital. She was examined and we found out that her collarbone was broken.

“Her friend who with her during the accident said Neha was flung onto a nearby fence as a result of the impact from the vehicle.

The vehicle was on a road test.”

Neha is currently admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the matter had been reported to the Police and investigations were underway.

Mr Ram said the city streets are a busy location. He said companies doing road tests for brakes and other things should do so in a location which was not as busy.

He also called on the Police to do their investigations properly before laying any charges. Samabula residents have also raised concern about vehicles parked along the area and Moala Street.

Voneyani Rabulu said the trucks and buses were parked along Lakeba Street and Moala Street. He said this made it hard for pedestrians to be noticed when crossing the street.

After the death of a student at Brown Street last week, Fiji Roads Authority took steps to put yellow markings along the roadside to avoid vehicles parking along the road.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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