Mereoni Vuniyayawa was looking forward to the start of the new school year.

The eight-year-old loved school and was counting down the days she was to don her uniform as a Year 3 student at Viseisei Primary School. Unfortunately, she lost her life last Saturday after she was hit by a car near Viseisei Village in Lautoka.

Her mother, Iliseva Vuniyayawa, said the young girl loved being around her friends and classmates.

“She was class captain for Year 1 and Year 2 and she knew she was going to lead again this year,” she shared.

“She wanted to be a doctor and she had the heart for it. So open to everyone and loved giving hugs to people.

“She loved reading and learning and loved speaking in Hindi and English.

I always encouraged her to speak all of our different languages because it would help her be a good doctor.

Mrs Vuniyayawa said a bright light was taken away from their home.

“I keep yearning for one final hug from her. A piece of me is gone forever.”

Mereoni’s grandfather, Eroni Lewaqai, said his granddaughter forced him to extend his visit.

“I don’t usually stay for long when I visit but that day she insisted that I stay,” he said.

“It was a very happy day for my family only for it to end with such tragedy.” Investigations into the tragedy have begun.

According to police, the vehicle was driven a 23-year-old farmer who lost control of the car.

The vehicle veered off the road and hit the victim who suffered serious internal injuries.

“The driver, who fled the scene of the accident, was arrested yesterday (Sunday) and charged with one count of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of failure to comply.”