27 Aug 2007

US teenager sentenced for causing accident that killed Tongan royals

4:32 pm on 27 August 2007

A teenage driver in the United States has been sentenced to two years in jail for causing a motorway collision that killed two members of Tonga's royal family.

Edith Delgado, now 19, was driving a car that hit a sport utility vehicle carrying Prince Tu'ipelehake, his wife, Princess Kaimana Aleamotu'a Tuku'aho, and their driver, Vinisia Hefa.

The accident happened south of San Francisco in July 2006.

Prosecutors said Delgado, who will receive credit for the year she already spent in jail as well as for her good behavior, will likely spend another four to six months in prison.