S'porean Maserati driver claims trial to causing motorcyclist's death
PETALING JAYA : The Singaporean driver of the Maserati involved in the fatal accident on the Second Link Expressway in Johor last week has pleaded not guilty in the Johor Bahru magistrates' court to causing the death of a motorcyclist.
Berita Harian reported that Irshad Abdul Hameed, 27, a civil servant in Singapore, made the plea after the charge against him was read before magistrate Nur Fatin Farid.
He was accused of driving his Maserati dangerously and causing the death of A Vasanthraj, 32, on KM0.6 of the expressway at 6.40pm, May 9.
Irshad was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 with causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. The section provides for up to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to RM50,000.
He also faces losing his eligibility to hold or obtain a driving licence for no less than five years from the date of conviction.
Vasanthraj died after crashing into a steel road barrier that Irshad had allegedly ripped out while making an illegal U-turn.
Iskandar Puteri police chief M Kumarasan said the motorcyclist was confirmed dead at the scene from severe injuries to his head and left leg.
Kumarasan said the driver had crashed into the barrier, ripping it out and placing his car in the way of oncoming traffic.
He said the motorcyclist, who was travelling from the other direction, was unable to avoid the barrier and was flung to the shoulder of the road.
The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Amirah Tasnim Saleh, while Irshad was represented by lawyers Baharudin Baharim and Zarina Ismail Tom.
The court set bail at RM12,000 with two Malaysian sureties and ordered Irshad to report to a nearby police station once a month and for his driving licence to be suspended.
The court set June 10 for re-mention of the case and submission of documents.
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