TRIAL for the vehicle driver accused of causing a fatal accident that resulted in the death of a woman last September along the Alligator Creek Road, Central Guadalcanal, has commenced in the Honiara Magistrate Court.
Devine Ahukela, 48, is facing one count of Causing Death by Reckless Driving contrary to section 38 of the Road and Transport Act.
At the start of the trial on Tuesday 19 August, Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga in his opening address outlined the Crown’s case.
The alleged incident occurred on 17 September 2024 between 7pm and 8pm.
During that period of time, the deceased Jerolyn Tapalia and another girl, Rose, were returning from a shop.
Mr Auga said the two were walking westward along the right pedestrian lane of the main road at Alligator Creek.
He said Rose walked in front and the deceased followed her.
Mr Auga said as they approached the bend on the road, they observed that a Land Cruiser vehicle was parked at the roadside.
“As they neared the parked vehicle, they noticed the headlights of another vehicle that was approaching at high speed.
“The vehicle veered onto the pedestrian side of the road, causing both girls to be frightened.”
Mr Auga said the deceased shouted to warn Rose and upon hearing her shout, Rose jumped into the bushes to avoid the veered vehicle.
He said witnesses observed the vehicle struck the deceased, lifted her and threw her into the bushes.
“The vehicle itself veered into the bushes near the road, then returned to the main road and fled eastward,” Mr Auga added.
The court heard the deceased was found lying motionless in the bushes, with a bleeding head and twisted right hand.
She was unresponsive and uneasily breathing.
Relatives rushed her to the National Referral Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Mr Auga further stated that police investigation commenced immediately and witnesses provided a description of the vehicle but because it was dark at that time, the precise colour of the vehicle could not be ascertained.
The incident was reported to the Henderson Police Station on the same evening and the Kukum Traffic officers checked the registration number via the Justice Information Management System.
Few days later, on 20 September 2024, Ahukela and his wife voluntarily attended Kukum Traffic Station and Ahukela admitted to being the driver of the vehicle involved in the fatal accident.
He was formally arrested the next day.
The Prosecution will be calling four witnesses during the trial before Principal Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa.
The first witness called was Rose, niece of the deceased, who was with her on the evening of the incident.
She began giving her evidence immediately after the prosecution opened its case.
However, her testimony was halted to allow counsels and the court to visit the crime scene. She will proceed with her evidence today.
George Taedi from the Public Solicitor’s Office is representing Ahukela.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
