"One thing that has been characteristic of the Tongan royal family for the last 100 years is they don't listen," said Kalafi Moala, publisher of the Taimi 'O Tonga or the Times of Tonga. "Here's a royal that kind of went out to the people and said, 'What do you want?"'

The prince, 55, believed that dialogue could resolve a growing political confrontation between the people and the South Pacific's last ruling monarchy.

So the prince, a nobles representative in Parliament, proposed commissioning a national committee for political reform. The government endorsed it, with the prince as chairman, and he set about to learn exactly what Tongans want in their government.

His 46-year-old wife, Princess Kaimana Fielakepa, the daughter of a noble, was a huge influence on the prince. Holder of a master's degree in foreign affairs from the Australian National University, she had worked for the minister of foreign affairs in Tonga and for the Tongan High Commission in London.

Without her, said Moala, "he wouldn't be as strong in the positions that he took."

Since January, the prince had talked with Tongans at home, in New Zealand and Australia. All that was left was a trip to America to meet others living in California, Utah, Washington and Hawaii. The committee was to issue its report to the king at the end of August.

On the night of July 5, the prince and princess apparently were heading back to their hotel in Burlingame along with their driver, Vinisia Hefa, a Tongan who lived in East Palo Alto.

The next day, they were scheduled to take the same road to a San Bruno church hall and another meeting with their countrymen, another step toward reform.

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"It looked like the Mustang wanted to win," said witness Adam Vasaei.

Another said the Mustang and the Escalade blew right by him. The speeds were "obscene."

Steve Wagstaffe, chief deputy district attorney for San Mateo County, said other witnesses called 911. "Hey, there's a white Mustang that's driving crazy out on the road, weaving dangerously in and out of traffic," a caller reported.

In heavy traffic, the Escalade slowed in the right-hand lane. But when Delgado found herself stuck behind a slower vehicle in the left-hand lane, she tried to pass and slip in front of a red Ford Explorer.

Instead, she crashed into the Explorer's left side. Its driver lost control; the SUV rolled several times until it came to rest on its top off the side of the highway.

Inside were Prince Tu'ipelehake, Princess Kaimana Fielakepa and their driver; all were wearing seat belts. When the SUV stopped, the royals were suspended from their seat belts.

All were dead.

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Sometimes the father hears the creak of his front door and turns to see his baby girl bursting into the room.

Only Jose Luis Delgado looks again and knows Edith isn't there.