Heartbreak on Dreketi Highway: Young Life Cut Short in Tragic Accident

A tragic incident on Dreketi Highway has resulted in the death of an eight-year-old boy named Krisav Lal, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near Basikalave Settlement. The accident occurred yesterday afternoon when Krisav allegedly crossed the road unexpectedly, leading to his being hit by a vehicle driven by a man in his 50s.

In response to this heartbreaking event, the Fiji Police have indicated that the driver will soon be questioned as the investigation progresses, pending the results of a postmortem examination that will provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Irimaia Rokosawa, Chief Executive Officer of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), expressed his deep condolences to the grieving family. He emphasized the importance of heightened caution among all road users in light of this tragic occurrence. Rokosawa stated, “This unfortunate incident reinforces the need for all road users to exercise extreme caution at all times,” particularly in areas where children are likely to be present, such as school drop-off and pick-up zones.

This incident calls to mind previous road safety concerns involving children, particularly the recent tragic deaths of young pedestrians in similar circumstances. For instance, in earlier reports, another child lost their life after falling from a moving vehicle, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures and driver vigilance.

Despite the sorrow surrounding these incidents, statistics show some positive developments with the national road death toll reportedly decreasing to 54 this year from 73 the previous year. This suggests ongoing public awareness efforts and road safety initiatives may be starting to take effect, fostering hope for safer travel conditions, especially for vulnerable road users like children.

With increased awareness and collaborative community efforts toward road safety, there is optimism that such tragic incidents can be reduced in the future, leading to a safer environment for everyone on the road.