Fight evolves over alleged reckless driving

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 21, 2025, a female called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report an incident between two males.

One of the suspects was later charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the court affidavit, on Jan. 21st, FPS received a call from a female who reported that Max Williams (later identified as Suspect #2) car was damaged by Roddy Vanilau (later identified as Suspect #1).

The officers proceeded to the call and upon arrival, they met with the owner of the store on the other side of Fagasa called Fagale’a. The officers interviewed the store owner and later obtained video footage showing Vanilau punching Williams inside his vehicle and damaging William’s vehicle by throwing it with a rock.

Police officers were also able to interview another witness who stated that she saw a gray vehicle driving really fast towards the bridge. The vehicle then stopped beside the wharf, where some of the kids were swimming. The driver of the car was seen talking to the kids for about three minutes.

Later, the vehicle was seen speeding again, and almost hit her eight-year-old son who was playing soccer in front of their house with his friends.

The witness stated that she yelled out to the driver to slow down. She also asked the kids who were swimming if they knew the driver and they said no.

Vanilau was also interviewed and according to his statement, the car was speeding and he called out to the driver to slow down. However, the driver stopped his vehicle and called out profane words and said that they have no business [with them].

Williams then continued to speed towards the other side of Fagasa village and almost hit two minors who were playing in front of his house. He ran towards the car direction along with his younger brother and cousin hoping to catch the driver.

He caught up to the driver and asked him, “What would he do if he hit the kids on the road?”

However, the driver cursed at them and it got him mad whereas he punched the driver in his face. Vinilau claimed that Williams then tried to throw a can of beer at him and also threatened that he would get his gun.

After interviewing Vinalau, the officers proceeded to look for the other kids who were present during the time of the incident.

The officers met with VInalau’s father and they advised him to accompany his two sons and his nephew to the FPS regarding the incident.

Another witness was also interviewed and he stated that the driver was driving too fast and his little brother called out to him to slow down. The driver then reversed his car and cursed at them. After a while, the driver was seen heading towards the store in Fagale’a and almost ran over two minors who were playing in front of a house.

The witness said he headed to the store along with his brothers, and by the time they got there Williams was drinking beer inside his vehicle and they found out he was drunk.

Williams also gave a statement which stated that he went shopping at the store in Fagle’a when he saw three kids walking towards his vehicle. He claimed that Vanilau punched him while he was sitting inside his vehicle and told him he was driving too fast. After Vanilau punched him, Williams said that Vanilau threw a rock at the back window of his car which caused it to crack so he called the FPS.

The affidavit stated that when the officers arrived at the scene, Williams was nowhere to be found near the area, as he had decided to drive straight to the FPS. As a result, he was charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

The affidavit does not state whether Vanilau or Williams, the suspects were arrested.

Vanilau is identified as a 20-year-old U.S National and Williams as a 71-year-old U.S National.