A MOTHER of four is uncertain about the future of her family after her husband was killed in a crash involving a government vehicle on Saturday night.
Ana Tinaisavumaca is struggling to make sense of her loss, after her husband, 46-year-old Iowane Tabu, died in a fatal accident near Namono Village in Tailevu.
“I want justice,” she said.
“Because my kids are still in school, two in high school, and one in Class Eight.
“He’s (the driver) underage and it’s a government vehicle. If only the government could see that me and my family are compensated so that I can care for them.”
Police confirmed that a 17-year-old was behind the wheel of the government-issued vehicle at the time of the crash.
The teen, who does not hold a valid driver’s licence, remains in custody at the Nausori Police Station.
The vehicle is also being held there as investigations continue.
Ana recalled the last moments she shared with her husband that morning.
“I work in the Nabua market and my husband plants cassava.
“On Saturday, he dropped off the cassava, then caught the bus to Waibau to clean a farmhouse for his cousin. I went to the market. That was our routine.”
She said she last heard from her husband’s cousin around 5pm, who said he would be taking Mr Tabu to get dinner before dropping him home.
“He came around 9pm and just dropped off the brush cutter.
“He said he had to go somewhere. And that was it. That was the last time I saw my husband.”
The next morning, police arrived at her home conveying the news and asking her to identify her husband’s body through a photo.
Community members described Mr Tabu as an easy-going, approachable man who worked hard to provide for his family. The village is now in mourning and joining the family’s call for accountability.
Police say investigations into the incident are ongoing.
