TAWAU: Police have confirmed that the driver of a Perodua Myvi suspected of losing control of his vehicle, causing it to crash into and shatter the shopfront of a premises at Lorong Bintang Shophouse 8, Mile 3 Apas Road here at around 3.30 pm on Tuesday, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Rosdi Mat Jusoh said the confirmation was obtained after the driver, a 60-year-old local man, completed preliminary urine and breathalyser tests at Tawau District Police Headquarters (IPD).
“For now, we are classifying it as a road traffic accident, but investigations are ongoing,” he said, following the incident where a Myvi crashed into a business premises and a Toyota Innova multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
Rosdi said initial investigations suggested the accident occurred when the Myvi driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator while trying to exit a parking bay, causing the car to surge forward and collide with the commercial premises.
“In a state of panic, the driver tried to reverse his car away from the premises but struck an MPV parked nearby, causing severe damage to both vehicles,” he added.
Rosdi confirmed that the driver, who had just finished receiving treatment at a nearby clinic prior to the collision, escaped without any injuries.
He said an investigation paper has been opened under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Witnesses are urged to step forward to assist investigations by contacting Traffic Investigating Officer Sgt Mohd Hanafiah Mat Sari on 019-886 7715 or visiting any nearby police station.
“We hope all drivers, whether operating automatic or manual transmission vehicles, ensure their vehicles are kept in good working order and maintain full focus while driving.
“In particular, ensure the vehicle is in the correct gear before moving off to prevent any untoward incidents from occurring,” he said.
In a related development, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage caught the tense moment a female pedestrian had to run for safety moments before the car crashed right into the business premises at the scene.
