Driver in Sibu’s multivehicle pile-up claims trial to reckless driving

SIBU (March 18): A 24-year-old man claimed trial in the Magistrates’ Court here on Tuesday to a charge of reckless driving in an accident involving six vehicles on Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai last week.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 when it was read before Magistrate Oon Kork Chern.

According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly drove in a zig-zag manner before crashing into six other vehicles at 9.48pm on March 12.

The offence carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term of up to five years and a minimum fine of RM5,000 upon conviction.

The court allowed bail of RM5,000 with two local sureties and fixed May 21 for case management.

The accused also faces a separate charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for allegedly self-administering amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ketamine at around 11.30pm on March 12 at the Sungai Merah police station.

No plea was recorded for the drug charge pending the pathology report.

The court set May 21 for mention of the case.

Bail was set at RM3,000 with two sureties for the second charge.

Deputy public prosecutor Keshava Rao Tharma Raja appeared for the prosecution while the accused was represented by Ben Lau, who stood in for defence counsel Yap Hoi Liong.