A father has been jailed for three years after a car crash that killed his two young children in January.
Manase Funaki, 37, was sentenced at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa on 8 July after pleading guilty to reckless driving causing death.
The fatal crash occurred on 22 January, when Funaki attempted to overtake multiple vehicles at high speed on Hihifo Road. His vehicle, which had a faulty tyre, lost control and rolled into a fence at Hofoa.
His children, Salesi (12) and Dorothy (9), were passengers in the car and died at Vaiola Hospital. Their mother, who survived the crash, told the court she had urged him to slow down.
Justice Tupou said the case showed a “flagrant disregard for the law and the safety of his passengers or other road users.”
Funaki admitted to driving at 80 km/h and knowing the tyre was defective. The Crown argued the seriousness of the offence warranted jail time, despite his clean record and remorse.
The judge sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended under strict conditions.
Funaki is currently serving the remaining three years. Counselling and a driving ban apply post-release. No appeal has been lodged to date.
