A scooter driver lost his life during the night from Friday to Saturday in Tepa after a head-on collision. The most serious in a series of accidents which took place this weekend. The public prosecutor of Wallis and Futuna, Jordane Duquenne, takes stock of this case.
If there are still elements to be clarified concerning the death of a 38-year-old man late on the night of Friday November 15 in Tepa, in the south of Wallis, alcohol would have played an important role. This is unfortunately often the case according to Jordane Duquenne, Public Prosecutor.
Wallis and Futuna 1st: The island of Wallis experienced a particularly hectic weekend on the roads. What assessment can you make?
Jordane Duquenne: The results are necessarily very negative. And that’s an understatement. We regret a personal accident for an individual who hit an electrical pole while he was alone at the wheel and drunk. But I specify that the person is alive.
We also had this accident, which I had the opportunity to discuss with Wallis and Futuna La 1ère on Saturday morning, in which we can deplore a death in the area of the Tepa Church. It concerns a father of five children who died as a result of his injuries after a head-on collision with a vehicle which was overtaking and who, therefore, found himself in the opposite lane to that of the scooter of the victim.
What legal consequences could there be regarding this accident?
I must point out that we made a lot of progress this weekend, with a certain number of witness interviews which were carried out by the services of the Wallis territorial brigade. This allowed us to learn more about the circumstances of the accident. The objective for the prosecution is to have a complete file and an investigation as quickly as possible.
The objective is to have a criminal response to this case as quickly as possible and to have him tried next month.
Jordane Duquenne, Public Prosecutor
What points still need to be clarified regarding this accident?
So there are still a few hearings of witnesses, particularly first responders, who arrived first on the scene, to be carried out. And on the other hand, we are still compiling information concerning the schedule of the accused, but also of the victim, just before this accident.
And above all, we are also awaiting the results of the blood samples sent to a laboratory in Nouméa. These results will allow us to know more about the different consumptions that may have been carried out by both the accused and the victim.
In addition to the two accidents you mention, there were two other less serious accidents this weekend. What is planned in the coming days in terms of prevention?
I take this opportunity to deliver a message of prevention. When you do not have a driving license, you do not take a vehicle. And obviously, when you are drunk, you don’t take your vehicle, you don’t get behind the wheel and you stay at home, with your friends or your family.
And regarding the gendarmerie resources that can be put in place?
I think there are a number of people who have noticed this. We now have road checks coordinated between the gendarmerie and also the border police. This allows us to increase the number of checks, since we have more staff on site.
In view of the situation, I will ask the gendarmerie services that road checks be organized more frequently in the coming days.
Jordane Duquenne, Public Prosecutor
What are the factors that explain road accidents in Wallis and Futuna?
There are two main ones: alcohol and lack of a driving license. But there are also factors external to the drivers that don’t help. You have many sections of road where you do not have public lighting for example. And also with a failure in signaling.
