BAYAN LEPAS – Suspected mat rempit activity has seen the death of an 18-year-old motorcyclist, who died on the spot after running a red light and into a Proton Persona at a traffic light junction.
The accident occurred before 5am today along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway at the traffic light junction of the Astaka Seagate factory.
The deceased, identified as Muhammad Akid Mat Rozi, was astride a Yamaha RXZ.
He crashed into the Proton Persona, which was turning right at the traffic light junction towards the Pelita restaurant in Jalan Tengah near Bayan Baru.
The light was green for the car, and red for traffic coming in the direction that Akid had been riding.
On social media, a video of the accident shows that the victim was apparently racing with another motorcycle rider.
A video has been circulating on social media of suspected “mat rempit” activity that led to the death of an 18-year-old motorcyclist.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) June 4, 2023
(Source: Twitter) pic.twitter.com/m6x35az9P8
Southwest district police head Kamarul Rizal Jenal said the driver of the Proton Persona, aged 18, suffered an injury to his left hand and was treated at Penang Hospital, while Akid died at the scene.
It was also raining at the time, Kamarul Rizal said.
Police are now seeking more information from CCTV in the area as well as accounts from eyewitnesses.
A post-mortem will be conducted on the victim after a mandatory Covid-19 test.
New Straits Times reported Kamarul Rizal as saying that police will investigate if the victim had been involved in illegal racing prior to the accident.
This is not the first time the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway has been the site of such activities.
In July last year, an illegal race claimed the lives of four street racers aged between 17 and 34, while several others were injured. – The Vibes, June 4, 2023.