Former radio personality, Pio Ratuwaqa, was found guilty by the High Court in Suva for causing the death of a woman in a motor vehicle accident.

The 54-year-old, facing a manslaughter charge, appeared before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe yesterday.

He was represented by lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo.

Ratuwaqa was involved in an accident on March 30, 2019. He had lost control of the vehicle causing it to veer off the road at Gardner Place, Nasese.

A team from the Totogo Police Station, Suva, managed to rescue Ratuwaqa and Anne Taake, 26, from the vehicle which was partially submerged in water.

Ms Taake was rushed to the CWM Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Justice Rajasinghe analysed the case, and ruled that the prosecution had proved the case of manslaughter beyond reasonable doubt.

The defence and state were given time until Friday (tomorrow) afternoon to file their respective mitigation and sentencing submission. Ratuwaqa will be sentenced on March 16.

His bail was extended to await sentencing.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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