A day before Christmas quickly turned into a disaster for a young man crossing the crosswalk between NECO Plaza and Palau Community College when he was hit by a speeding vehicle coming down the middle lane toward Medalaii.
According to police report, the vehicle hit the pedestrian at high speed causing him to fly and land approximately 20 to 30 feet away from where he was hit. The victim is said to be an employee of Payless Super Market and was on his way to work when he was hit at around 8:15 in the morning.
Report stated that the pedestrian was given a clearance signal to go by a vehicle travelling on the right lane toward Medalii and as he was crossing, another vehicle speeding down the middle lane in the same direction hit him and sped away.
Later that morning, a 46 years old Palauan male, Tommy Sei-ichi, walked into BPS Central Office and admitted to driving the vehicle that hit the pedestrian. He was arrested, booked and confined.
Current condition and extent of the victim’s injuries are not known at the time of this publication. It is also not confirmed if the driver was under influence and the case is currently under investigation. (L.N. Reklai)