The horrific collision between a taxi and a Ford ranger at Tuanaimato on Saturday evening has claimed the lives of two people while another two fighting for their lives at the Motootua National Hospital intensive care unit.
Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the two deceased as well as the two people in critical condition were all traveling in the Nissan Taxi.
The driver and passenger of the Ford Ranger escaped serious injuries, said Auapaau.
The driver of the Ford was given a breathalyzer test which came back below the limit of 40 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath considered drunk driving.
Auapaau says a second test had also come back negative for alcohol.
The Police Commissioner says police did not test the driver’s blood for drugs, or a more accurate blood alcohol content (BAC).
Police are permitted under legislation to take blood tests. The limit when driving is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 0.08% BAC.
“He tested below 40 micrograms in the first test and then tested below again in the second test.”
Auapaau says initial investigation suggests the Ford was speeding.
“The officers were on the scene again this afternoon to try and determine the speed.”
Both vehicles ended up in the ditches by the side of the 4-lane road, infront of Gym 2 at Tuanaimato.
Members of the public near the wreckage and FESA first responders were seen pulling bodies out of the taxi.
Horrific scenes on social media posted by bystanders shows injured bodies lying on the sidewalk, awaiting the arrival of ambulance support.
Noone has been charged in relation to the crash and police investigations continue.
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