‘Killer Driver’ a Coward for Not Stopping, Says Victim’s Cousin

Lokimi Dauyali will never forget the tragedy that claimed the life of his cousin Merusi Tamanigasau. 

The duo were walking along the Nadi Back Road at Korociri on Friday evening when a truck veered off the road and hit Mr Tamanigasau, 34.

“After work, we decided to go to a friend’s house to have a few bowls of kava,” Mr Dauyali recalled. 

 “He was walking behind me and calling out to his friend when the truck veered off the road and bumped him. He fell into the drain, and the truck almost hit me too. The coward driver did not stop and drove off.

“We tried to revive him but couldn’t. It really hurt me so much. I kept on crying over my brother. He is a good person,” he said.

Mr Tamanigasau’s wife Varanisese Laulili said life would be different for her and their three-year-old son. 

“Our son is still young, why does he have to leave us?” cried Varanisese Laulili.

Mrs Laulili had gone with their son to Dakuinuku, Sawakasa, Tailevu where the victim was originally from.

She said they were looking forward to seeing him again this week.

“This is like a bad dream. I can’t believe that this is really happening to us. Why does he have to leave? Our son is still very young,” she said while crying.

“It really hurts coming to Nadi and seeing that the house is empty, and he is no more. I miss him so much.”

The victim was an employee of NewWorld IGA at Votualevu Roundabout.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro said the road accident happened around 9pm on Friday.

 Ms Naisoro said he was rushed to the Nadi Hospital by bystanders and pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations are continuing.

Police are urging members of the public who may have any information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers Fiji on 919 or the Western Division Command Centre on 9905 457.

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