A FAMILY member of a 48-year-old man who lost his life in a road accident on Saturday night has spoken of her heartbreak and anger at drivers who choose to drink and drive.
Miriama Gonewai described her cousin, the victim — Ratu Penaia Rayacarogo, who is known as Tu Pena — as a “sweet soul” and “true gentleman”, who didn’t deserve to lose his life in a tragic accident.
“Last night at Nausori Health Centre, I was overwhelmed with anger and heartbreak,” Ms Gonewai said in a social media post.
“Seeing those rental passengers lying there — alive and breathing through gas masks (passengers on oxygen support) – while my cousin lay gone because of their selfish actions, made my blood boil.
“I wanted to rip those masks off their faces to make them feel even a fraction of the pain they’ve caused.
“How can people be so careless? So thoughtless? Why do people still choose to drink and drive? It’s not just your life you’re risking – it’s everyone else on the road.”
Ms Gonewai’s advice to drivers is that making reckless decisions on the road can have devastating consequences.
“Please — if you value your life, and the lives of others — don’t drink and drive.
“Don’t let another family go through what mine is going through right now.”
Mr Rayacarogo is survived by one daughter. His partner, who was also in the vehicle, is currently admitted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
In a statement, police confirmed that two individuals lost their lives as a result of the incident, while five others remain hospitalised.
“At around 7.50pm, a 27-year-old farmer of Nadi was driving towards Korovou with a 24-year-old female and a 17-year-old male passenger.
“He lost control of his vehicle and went into the other lane and collided head-on with the oncoming vehicle driven by a 48-year-old male who had three female passengers. The 27-year-old driver died at the scene while the 48-year-old driver was pronounced dead on arrival at Nausori Health Centre.”
Land Transport Authority CEO Irimaia Rokosawa said the recent road incidents in the Western and Central divisions “reinforced the grim reality that too many road users continue to place their lives, and the lives of others, at risk when they choose to ignore road safety measures and traffic regulations”.
“Over the past weeks, common causes of accidents have been repeatedly identified, including speeding, loss of steering control, driver fatigue, reckless overtaking, dangerous driving behaviours, and irresponsible pedestrian crossings,” he said.
“Enforcement and awareness will continue, but real change starts with each one of us making conscious, responsible decisions the moment we step onto the road — whether behind the wheel, as a passenger, or on foot.”
