Lepai Pauli dies in fatal Madang car crash

Lepai Pauli dies in fatal Madang car crash

Fatal Madang car crash death of Lepai Pauli – Obituary

Lepai Pauli, a 40-year-old man from Kupalis village in Wabag, Enga Province, lost his life in a single-vehicle accident near Madang on Wednesday, June 12. Authorities suspect alcohol may have contributed to the crash, which happened just after midday along the Bruce Jeff Cott Highway, roughly 21 kilometers from Madang town near Alemo Junction.

According to police, a brown Toyota Landcruiser belonging to Madang Office Suppliers was en route from Walium with four occupants when the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle. While merging back into his lane, the driver lost control, and the vehicle veered into a roadside drain. During the crash, Pauli is believed to have leapt from the moving vehicle and was killed instantly. His body was later transported to the Madang Provincial Hospital morgue.

No other injuries were reported, but investigators found empty cans of SP green beer at the site, raising suspicions that alcohol was involved. Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, Madang’s provincial police commander, labeled the incident a tragic example of the dangers of drinking and driving, especially during the ongoing council and by-election period.

Baim urged political supporters and the public to prioritize safety, avoid overloading vehicles, and refrain from consuming alcohol while operating a vehicle. He emphasized that road safety continues to be a major issue in Papua New Guinea, where weak enforcement and hazardous road conditions contribute to frequent accidents. A police investigation into the crash is underway.