Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 1, 2025, traffic officers observed a vehicle swerving into the lane of oncoming traffic multiple times. The vehicle was stopped and the driver charged.

The suspect, Freida Fonoti, was later charged with:

Count 1: Felony Driving, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment not exceeding five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Driving Under the Influence, a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both;

Count 3: Careless Driving, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both; and,

Count 4: Non-Possession of a Driver’s License, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

Court records revealed that on July 1st, at approximately 1:25 a.m., traffic officers patrolling eastbound in the Nuuuli area observed a vehicle that was directly in front of them swerving into the incoming lane multiple times, and suddenly stopped without any visible cause.

Due to the unsafe driving behavior, the officers conducted a traffic stop where the vehicle eventually came to a stop on the side of the road. The officers approached the driver of the car, who was identified as a female. Upon contact with the driver, the odor of an “immense amount” of alcohol was smelled, coming from the interior of the vehicle.

The officers asked the female if she was okay, to which she replied, “Yes.” They continued to ask her for her name, and she identified herself as Frieda Fonoti (identified as the suspect). The suspect informed the officers that she was on her way to Fagaalu and claimed to be tired.

The officers told her why she was pulled over and asked her if she had consumed any alcohol. The suspect admitted that she had two bottles of beer at home.

The suspect was also asked to produce a driver’s license, and it was discovered that she does not possess a valid driver’s license.

While engaging in a conversation with the suspect, police observed that she showed signs of impairment, and a strong odor of alcohol was detected emitting from her breath and person. The suspect was further observed with bloodshot eyes, redness in her facial area, with slurred speech.

The officers asked the suspect if they could administer several field sobriety tests to determine if she was capable of operating a vehicle safely on the road. The suspect willingly agreed to perform the tests and failed all components.

She also consented to a chemical breathalyzer test but was unable to provide a sufficient sample for testing.

The suspect was issued an E-citation.

An investigation later revealed that the suspect had been recently convicted of DUI on April 10, 2025, and her sentence imposed a condition that her driver’s license be suspended for a period of 24 months.