Lorry driver fined RM5,000 over Tawau fatal accident

TAWAU: A 39-year-old lorry driver was fined RM5,500 or three months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court, here, Wednesday, for causing the death of a Proton driver at Batu 9, Jalan Quion Hill at the Kg Serundung Baru junction on May 4, 2019.

Bahar  Basri, pleaded guilty before magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus to a charge under Section 43(1) of Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a fine of not less than RM4,000 and not more than RM10,000 or jail term of not more than 12 months.

The court was told that Bahar was driving the lorry from Batu 17, Jalan Quion Hill and heading towards the Sg Kawah plantation while Mohamed Nor Ayub, 58,  together with his wife and two kids were in a Proton Saga FLX and travelling from SK Serudong to Kg Ranggu.

At the junction, Mohamed Nor’s wife, who was sitting at the back, gave her husband the signal to keep driving  because there were no vehicles on the road at that time. However, the lorry hit the Proton driver’s car door and dragged to the road shoulder.

Mohamed Nor died at the scene due to ‘severe intrathoracic secondary to motor vehicle accident’ while his daughter who was at the back seat was hurt. 

His wife and another kid escaped unhurt. 

Prosecuting officer ASP Joan Lee told the court that Bahar was believed to be speeding and unable to control his lorry. 

“As the driver, he should have been more careful because the road has a slight bend and there was also a junction,” ASP Joan said.

Bahar paid the fine and his driving licence was also ordered to be endorsed.