“We were preparing for his graduation”: Mother mourns son lost in crash

A mother is struggling to come to terms with the death of her 27-year-old son following a road accident along Bau Road at Mokani, Tailevu last Friday.

Tomasi Seru Vueti was scheduled to graduate in the next fortnight and there were family plans ready for the youngest of seven siblings.

“We were preparing for his graduation,” said his 64-year-old mother, Salote Vueti.

“Now we shall prepare to lay him to rest.”

For the past weeks Ms Vueti said excitement filled their family because they looked forward to her son’s graduation.

The late Mr Vueti had completed his Certificate in Geographic Information System course.

Recollecting her last morning with her son, Ms Salote said it’s now a moment that felt too painful to hold onto.

“I was around the house and he came and made me breakfast with fish batter and coconut juice,” Ms Vueti said.

“Little did I know, that was the last breakfast he would ever make for me.”

After preparing the meal, Mr Vueti told his mother he was heading to the farm.

He never returned home.

It is alleged that while walking along the road, Mr Vueti was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by a man in his 20s on the morning of April 3.

For his family, the focus is no longer on how it happened, but the painful reality that he is gone.

Friends and relatives continue to gather at their home, offering comfort to Ms Vueti.

Mr Tomasi will be laid to rest this Friday in Mokani.

The national road death toll now stands at 13 compared to nine for the same period last year.