LESS than a week after a fatal road accident, another family in Labasa is grieving the loss of a loved one.
A 38-year-old man died on Monday night after he was allegedly hit by a vehicle along the Wailevu stretch.
The tragedy follows a separate accident on Saturday night along Naseakula Rd, where a police traffic operation with the Land Transport Authority ended in the death of an officer the following day.
The officer was rushed to the Labasa Hospital in critical condition and later died.
The latest incident has left another Labasa family shattered.
Mati Mariamma, the mother of the 38-year-old victim, said her son had gone to town to buy supplies for a fishing trip planned for the day.
“He walked home from town,” she said.
“He used to take a taxi all the time, but apparently, this time he didn’t.”
Ms Mariamma said she was informed of the accident around 7pm by a neighbour’s son.
“I was waiting for my son when I was told of the tragic news.
“Yes, he used to come home late at times, but he always found his way back.”
She said their last conversation was around 1.30pm on Monday.
“He asked me to get his clothes ready for the fishing trip.
“That was the last I heard from him.”
Ms Mariamma said she rushed to the accident scene but was not allowed to see her son.
“Until today (yesterday), I have not seen him.
“I cried a lot and begged to see my son, but I wasn’t allowed. Police officers were picking up pieces of his clothing.”
She described him as a good, quiet man who never got into trouble.
‘He promised to return’
TRAFFIC officer Dharmesh Krishna left home for work last Saturday, committed, disciplined, and ready to serve, not knowing it would be the last time he said goodbye to his family.
The 44-year-old died yesterday morning at the Labasa Hospital, two days after he was struck by a truck during a routine traffic stop along the main road.
His wife, Ashmita Kumar, said her husband was a hardworking man who only missed work when he was ill.
She said he was also a loving and dedicated father to their only child.
“We really miss him, and we want justice to be served,” she said.
“When he left for work, he said goodbye and promised to return home, but he did not.”
Mr Krishna was part of a joint traffic operation with the Land Transport Authority on the night of December 6 when tragedy struck.
While conducting a traffic stop, a truck driven by a 45-year-old man allegedly veered into two parked vehicles, causing them to lurch forward and hit him and another officer at the roadside.
Mr Krishna was trapped beneath the truck.
He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where his family kept close watch and prayed for a miracle.
The second officer involved remains admitted at the hospital.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said the officer’s passing was a stark reminder of the dangers police face each day while safeguarding the public.
He said the rise in road accidents and fatalities was concerning, urging drivers to take greater responsibility on Fiji’s roads.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family.”
