A FIVE-month-old baby boy died in an accident involving a car and a lorry driven by a man suspected of being under the influence of drugs in front of the Kampung Sadek intersection in Baling, today.
Baling District Police Chief, Superintendent Brandon Richard Joe, said police received a call at approximately 12.20 am from Baling Hospital staff informing them of the death.
According to him, the staff informed that the victim who was involved in an accident involving a car and a lorry in front of the intersection near Jalan Baru Kulim/Baling/Gerik had died while being treated at the Baling Hospital emergency ward.
"The investigation found that the accident involved a car driven by a 27-year-old local man with his 41-year-old wife and five-month-old child from the direction of Gerik heading towards Kupang, while a lorry driven by a 43-year-old local man from the same direction, heading towards Penang.
"As a result of the accident, the driver and passengers of the car suffered injuries and were sent to the Baling Hospital for further treatment.
"One infant passenger who was seriously injured was confirmed dead while being treated at the Baling Hospital emergency ward," he said.
He said the deceased had been sent to the Forensic Department of the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) in Alor Setar for a post-mortem.
He said the lorry driver was detained for further investigation after an initial urine test found him positive for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causing death.
If convicted, he can be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than 10 years and not more than 15 years and a fine of not less than RM50,000 and not more than RM100,000. – May 8, 2026
