A WOMAN accused of driving the car that killed a 15-year-old girl in a tragic accident last Saturday in Honiara has been remanded in custody on Tuesday.
Veslyn Ririana, 26, of Isabel Province, appeared in court on Tuesday for the first time following Saturday’s tragic event.
She faces charges of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, presence of alcohol in a person’s blood, driving without a valid driver’s licence, and driving an unlicensed motor vehicle.
Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze asked the court to have Ririana remanded for the next 14 days.
This is on the grounds that there is a risk of absconding, police investigation is still continuing, police need more time to locate and identify civilian witnesses, and the for accused’s one safety.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi granted the application and remanded the accused until October 3, when she will appear in court.
Police say the fatal accident occurred at about 10pm on September 15, at the Honiara City Council roundabout in front of the Solomon Water office.
The accused, Ririana allegedly drove a white short boot car heading on a westerly direction towards the HCC roundabout at a very high speed and swerved out of the main driveway onto the pedestrian walkway.
At that time a lot of pedestrians, including Ellen, the 15-year-old victim, were walking along the footpath going back to their homes after attending a church program at Holy Cross Cathedral.
Police alleged the car hit the girl and carried her straight towards the Solomon Water fence.
A police patrol arrived at the scene and transported the girl to the National Referral Hospital but she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The accused is yet to have a lawyer.
This tragic traffic incident has attracted a lot of attention from the public, who took to the social media offering condolences to the deceased’s family, while expressing their anger at the driver.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
