The driver of the Laumoso’oi bus that crashed at Malifa last month, causing the death of two elderly men, has been ordered to remain in custody without plea until next Monday.
Samoa Observer reports Togamataimoana Vaea, 35, of Siumu is facing two counts of motor manslaughter, two counts of negligent driving causing death, 31 counts of driving causing injuries, one count of careless driving, and one count of driving an unlicensed vehicle.
Prosecution and Attorney General’s Office lawyer, Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa noted this was not the first time the defendant had driven a bus without a proper warrant of fitness.
Vaega was not represented by counsel in court.
He was driving more than 30 passengers in the Poutasi Falealili bus on the morning of the crash, which caused the deaths of two men aged 64 and 66 from injuries sustained.
A statement from the Land Transport Authority confirmed the bus that crashed serviced the Falealili and Sapunaoa route failed their inspection and was not roadworthy.
