A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that took place in Arorangi on Tuesday night.

The accused remanded in custody is expected to appear in court today, following ongoing investigations by the police into the matter.

According to police, the victim, an elderly woman, 68, was crossing the road with her relatives when she was struck by a motorcycle driven by the accused. She was pronounced dead later that night at the hospital.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said the accused was arrested late Thursday afternoon at 4:45pm.

“A male was remanded into custody last night (Thursday) on a charge of dangerous driving causing death and is assisting the Police with the investigation,” Pitt stated.

According to Pitt, the police have also been involved in settling the necessary formalities, including meeting with the Coroner, while exercising complete sensitivity toward the family affected by this tragic incident. 

The incident occurred around 8pm near the Tumunu Garden Restaurant and Bar with the driver of the vehicle fleeing the scene.

Some of the people at the scene were furious with the suspect’s “cowardly” actions.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked concerns not only about the tragedy and seriousness of the fatality but also about the police’s challenges with lack of information.

Cook Islands United Party leader and Opposition MP Teariki Heather on Thursday expressed concern about the lack of response from the police and accused Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, of devaluing their work.

On Wednesday, Cook Islands News contacted the police for comment on the incident and to inquire whether the suspect has been arrested. The newspaper was referred to spokesperson Pitt, who was absent from work due to unpaid salary issues.

Pitt returned to work yesterday.

Heather earlier said: “Trevor has always been very informative about these incidents and also accidents and you know it saddens me as a previously Minister for Police because information to the public is very important but also to capture this guy (involved in) hit and run, it’s one of the serious offenders.”

“It’s my concern, my sincere sympathy and condolences to the family that’s gone through this but I think it’s grossly sort of inappropriate for Minister for Police. I don’t know how true this one is because he (Trevor) hasn’t been paid and that’s a serious concern.”

On Thursday night, PM Brown clarified: “The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has confirmed that all salary payments, including Trevor’s, have been made as scheduled, with his latest pay deposited on Wednesday.”

“The Acting Police Commissioner has also verified that there are no outstanding payments owed to him. If there has been any misunderstanding, I trust the Acting Commissioner will look into the matter appropriately.”

Clarification – Cook Islands News in its January 30, 2025, edition reported, based on a witness account, that the deceased was on a motorcycle. This was incorrect. Police confirmed yesterday that the victim was crossing the road when she was struck by a motorcycle driven by the accused. The newspaper regrets this error and apologises to the family of the deceased.