1 Feb 2007

American Samoa police officer charged for careless driving following death of young boy

10:31 am on 1 February 2007

An American Samoa police officer has been officially charged with vehicular homicide and careless driving following the the death of 12 year-old boy over the weekend.

The Samoa News reports Mekuisa Amotai, a police liquor inspector, is accused of hitting the 12 year old while the boy was crossing the street in Nu'uuli village.

The newspaper says a witness told police that the defendant was speeding.

The defendant stopped and rendered aid but the young victim died en route to the hospital.

If convicted, Amotai, who is currently held on a 10-thousand US dollar bail, could face up to five years in jail for vehicular homicide and up to six months for careless driving.