Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — StarKist Company has released the names of the four StarKist Samoa employees who died following a deadly car crash at the cannery’s gate over the weekend, as a prayer service was held yesterday inside the plant.
The cannery is currently on its usual two-week end of the year shutdown that started Dec. 18 with production to resume Jan. 3, 2022.
StarKist Co., corporate spokesperson’s Michelle F. Faist, had first released a company statement last Saturday morning saying that it’s “with great sadness that we inform you that four members of the StarKist Samoa team died this morning as a result of a car accident that occurred outside the facility gate.”
In addition, five employees were taken to the hospital with injuries, according to the statement, noting that “details of the accident are forthcoming and the company will continue to monitor the situation. Please keep the StarKist Samoa team in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
By Sunday, relatives of the deceased workers identified the four workers on social media.
Faist, released early yesterday morning a new company statement with the names of the deceased, saying that on “behalf of StarKist Co., the StarKist Samoa management team and our employees around the world, we would like to express our deepest condolences for the tragic car accident that took the lives of four employees and injured five others.”
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the following employees who lost their lives on the morning of Saturday, December 18. The victims include Mr. Ierome Vili, Mr. Taumaoe Filipo, Mr. Faasaulala Ahoni and Mr. Alatina Faleasi,” the StarKist Company press release read.
In the statement, StarKist “thanked all first responders for their service during this tragedy. In the meantime, we are working closely with the victims’ families to provide support during this difficult time.”
Citing an interview with Deputy Police Commissioner Foifua Foifua Jr., Samoa News reported yesterday that the driver of the vehicle that was involved in a horrific car crash in front of StarKist Samoa that claimed the lives of the four workers, has a prior driving under the influence of alcohol conviction. He is suspected of DUI in this crash accident.
By Sunday night information alleging that the driver had a record, circulated on social media and an individual, identified as Valelia Sefo-Vaouli, started an online petition, which gives the alleged driver’s name — but it is not clear as to whether its the first name or last name. The petition claims that the driver, had a prior DUI record and was later released on bail and it also alleges that this individual was the driver of the vehicle that caused the tragic accident.
“Driving is a privilege not a right. Innocent lives are taken because of selfish decisions made by drunk drivers who just want to go home,” according to wording in the petition, addressed to America Samoa leaders.
The petition, appears to call on local leaders, including lawmakers, to come up with stiffer penalties for DUI. It points out that 5 years and or $5,000 penalty as cited in local statute is not enough.
“Our lawmakers should review and amend this chapter in our law based on current statistics from DPS,” it says. Let us hold each other accountable American Samoa.”
The petition, initially sought 100 signatures, but as of yesterday morning it changed to 200 signatures and 104 have already signed it online. The petition is on [www.change.org].
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