A policeman attached with Highlands Eastern Command is currently in police custody awaiting his time for appearance before the Committal Court in Mt Hagen District Court. The police man is charged with Dangerous driving causing death and grievous bodily harm. Assistant Commissioner Highlands Eastern End Division Rigga Neggi highlighted that the police officer, who was attached to the Minj Police Station in Jiwaka province was involved in a traffic accident along the Minj road on Monday January 9th 2023. The off-duty Officer was under the influence of alcohol and on high-speed driving a Toyota Land Cruiser which collided with an oncoming Toyota Land cruiser which was also on high speed and its driver was also under the influence of alcohol. “A female passenger who was travelling with the off-duty policeman died in the accident due to injuries she sustained whilst other passengers on both vehicles sustained serious injuries,” said Assistant Commissioner Neggi. However, in a twisted turn to the story, the driver of the other vehicle was later found dead at Waghi bridge, provoking his relatives to believe that the off-duty policeman was responsible. “The other driver was a young engineer from Barola in Eastern Highlands Province, and upon hearing of the bad news, his relatives set up roadblocks at the Barola Mountain targeting people from Jiwaka and Western Highlands Provinces as well as harassing other members of the public who were traveling along the highway,” Mr Neggi said. A full independent investigation in to the death of the young engineer is now being carried out by an independent investigation team from the Western Highlands and Simbu provinces. Whilst investigation is underway ACP Neggi is appealing to members of the public who have any information of the incidents to come forward and assist police with the investigations In the meantime, ACP Neggi is appealing to relatives of the deceased to allow the law to take its course