14 Dec 2006

Californian youth to stand trial for car crash which killed two Tongan Royals

2:48 pm on 14 December 2006

A California teenager accused of killing two members of the Tongan royal family in a car crash outside San Francisco in July will stand trial on February the 13th.

Edith Delgado, who is 18, is charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter in connection with the accident which claimed the lives of Prince Tu'ipelehake, Princess Kaimana Aleamotu'a and their driver Vinisia Hefa.

Witnesses and police said Delgado appeared to be racing her white Ford Mustang sports car at speeds of up to 160 kilometres an hour before the accident in San Mateo County.

In the week after the collision, the Prince's sister, Mele Siuilikutapu, extended forgiveness to Delgado, but added that justice in the courts has to come through.