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UPOLU, SAMOA — An LDS missionary died Sunday in Samoa after he was struck by a car while walking with his mission companion on the Samoan island of Upolu, according to Eric Hawkins, spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Aaron Ahkau Matapa Patiole, of the Macarthur Australia Stake, was 21 years old. He died Sunday afternoon, Samoa time, church officials confirmed.
“We are grieved by his loss and extend our prayers and love to his family and loved ones,” Hawkins said in a statement. “We pray they will be blessed with peace as they mourn the loss of this valiant young man.”
Patiole had been serving in the Samoa Apia Mission since December 2016, Hawkins said.
An earlier version of this article indicated Patiole had been walking with a friend at the time of his death. This has been corrected to indicate he was walking with his mission companion.
