2 in Tongan royal family killed in Calif. car crash

Saturday, July 8, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO -- A Tongan prince known for promoting political reform in his South Pacific island nation died along with his wife in a crash with a teenager's car, authorities said. Prince Tu'ipelehake, 56, Princess Kaimana, 46, and their driver died Wednesday night, according to Senter Uhilamoelangi, a distant relative and longtime friend of the prince. The 18-year-old driver who hit their sport utility vehicle was traveling as fast as 100 mph in Menlo Park, about 30 miles south of San Francisco, highway patrol officer Ricky Franklin said. The woman survived the crash and faced arraignment Friday.

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