Woman taxi driver latest road fatality

Retired bus driver Muniappa Naidu is still coming to terms with the loss of his wife and breadwinner, Visha Latchmi.

Ms Latchmi died yesterday morning after she lost control of the vehicle she was driving, veered off M.N. Naidu Road in Lautoka, and hit a tree.

Mr Naidu said it was unusual for his wife to wake him before she left for work, as she usually let him sleep in.

“She woke me to say that she was going and for me to look after the house,” he said.

“Little did I know those would be her last words. She has been my wife the last 25 years.”

“I am not well these days, and this morning (yesterday) she startled me when she woke me up. Normally, she just lets me sleep in.”

He added, “Today (yesterday) was a different story. She was a great woman, and I loved her very much. Through her earnings, we managed to survive. We were also in the process of extending our home, which she played a huge role in. Now, that is on hold.” 

Mr Naidu said his late wife had been driving a taxi for the past two years.

He will need to consult with her family regarding the funeral arrangements, which will likely be held on Saturday.

Muniappa Naidu, holding a photo of his late wife, Visha Latchmi at their home in Tavakubu, Lautoka.

Waisea Nasokia

Police

Director of Traffic, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mitieli Divuana, stated that the victim was driving along M.N. Naidu Road when the incident occurred.

“It was after 8am when she lost control of her vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and hit a tree,” he said.

“She was conveyed to Lautoka Hospital, where she was admitted and later passed away.”

SSP Divuana added that a post-mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the cause of death.

Ms Latchmi is survived by her husband, two children, and a grandchild.

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