SG PETANI – A lorry driver pleaded not guilty in the magistrates’ court here today on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs and causing a crash that killed a policeman last Friday.
Hairul Azman Abdullah, 40, made the plea before magistrate Nadhirah Abdul Rahim.
He was charged with driving a Hino lorry under the influence of methamphetamines, causing him to not be able to control the vehicle and crashing into the Honda City driven by Muhamad Aziem Azman.
The crash occurred at KM79.5 of the north-bound side of the North-South Expressway at 2.09am on Friday.
The charge was framed under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides an imprisonment for up to 15 years, a maximum fine of RM100,000, and disqualification from holding a driving licence for 10 years, if found guilty.
Setting January 26 for mention, the court allowed Hairul bail of RM6,000 with one surety and also ordered him to report himself at the nearest police station once a month.
Prosecuting officer Syed Ahmad Ridzuan Syed Zainol Abidin from the Kuala Muda district police headquarters prosecuted, while lawyer Tengku Hezrul Anuar Tengku Abdul Samad, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, represented Hairul.
Aziem, 34, from the Perlis General Operations Force, died at the scene, while his wife, a teacher, was injured. Their four-year-old son who was in the car escaped the crash unhurt. – Bernama, December 27, 2021
