Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 14, 2025, Tafuna Police Station (TPS) received a call regarding a 10-year-old minor who was struck by a vehicle.

 The suspect was later charged with Count 1: Careless Driving With Injuries, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

There was no set bail for the defendant.

According to the court affidavit, on Mar. 14th, at about 6:45 a.m., an individual called the TPS and reported a 10-year-old minor who was struck by a vehicle. Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they met up with the driver of the vehicle who briefed them about the incident.

While on the scene, the officers observed the injuries of the minor who had a fractured lower right leg. The officers requested an EMS unit to transport the minor to the LBJ Hospital.

According to the driver, she was heading westbound and stopped at the crosswalk giving way to pedestrians. After the pedestrians crossed, she continued driving. At that time, the minor, who was the victim, ran towards the left side of her vehicle and accidentally got struck by the left steering axle of the vehicle. The driver claimed that she was approaching at a normal speed and she did not see the minor until he got close to her vehicle.

According to a witness who saw what happened, he stated that the minor accidentally ran towards the vehicle.

At about 1:46 p.m., the officers followed up at the LBJ Hospital and the attending physician identified the minor’s injuries as a fractured and dislocated right lower extremity.

The defendant is identified as a 27-year-old female.