Accident Claims Another Life on Fiji Roads, Road Death Toll Now 10
According to Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, the tragic incident was caused after the vehicle they were travelling in and driven by Mr Draso’s 23-year-old son in law allegedly lost control.
Monday 18 February 2019 | 09:17
Eparama Draso, 53 with his grandchildren Naomi Naisau, 9 and Epeli Duvedraso, 15 with the music intruments of late Joeli Walevu at their residence in Koroqaqa village in Ba yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA
The early morning sounds of a strumming guitar will now be a mere memory for Eparama Draso, 53, whose brother was killed in a car accident during the weekend.
Those are the lingering thoughts of Mr Draso as he remembered his elder brother Joeli Walevu, a farmer, who was involved in the tragic accident at Korovuto, Nadi on Saturday morning.
His death brings to 10 the road death toll compared to 7 for the same period last year.
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According to Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, the tragic incident was caused after the vehicle they were travelling in and driven by Mr Draso’s 23-year-old son in law allegedly lost control.
“It is alleged the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to veer off the road and collided with a streetlight post,” she said.
The incident happened at 10am.
the late Joeli Walevu during his hey days
At the family residence in Koroqaqa Village in Ba yesterday Mr Draso described his brother as a talented musician.
“Every morning during prayer session he will make sure to compliment the worship with his music notes. The whole community of Koroqaqa will miss the strumming of his guitar,” Mr Draso said.
“He worked for the resort in Sonaisali few years ago. His sudden passing has come to us as a shock.”
The late Mr Walevu was not married, but he will be missed by family members and his peers.
Ms Naisoro said the late Mr Walevu was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old heading towards Nadi from Suva.
“It is alleged the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to veer off the road and collided with a street light post.”
“Also traveling in the vehicle were three adults, a nine-year-old child and a two-month-old baby. All were rushed to the Nadi Hospital where the victim was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Two of the adults and the nine-year-old child were treated and sent home, while the driver’s brother was admitted at the Lautoka Hospital after sustaining injuries to his left arm.
The two-month old baby is also admitted at Nadi Hospital and is under observation because he sustained minor injuries.
The driver was in Police custody and yet to be questioned awaiting the post mortem examination results.
Edited by Percy Kean
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