High Court raises Nissan Navara driver's jail term to 6 months
PETALING JAYA : The Kuala Lumpur High Court has increased K Darmaraju's jail sentence from 30 days to six months for sideswiping a motorcycle carrying a couple on the PLUS Highway on May 10.
Justice K Muniandy handed down the revised sentence after allowing the prosecution's appeal against the magistrates' court's sentence of 30 days in prison, Harian Metro reported.
The High Court upheld the RM12,000 fine and five-year driving licence suspension imposed on Darmaraju, who had pleaded guilty to recklessly driving a Nissan Navara in the incident.
Deputy public prosecutor Sabri Othman said the initial sentence did not reflect the seriousness of the offence or the Dewan Rakyat's intent to impose heavier punishments for reckless driving in amending the Road Transport Act.
He said the crash left pillion rider Suhailiza Shamsudin, 49, permanently disabled and still in the intensive care unit with head injuries, while motorcyclist Faizal Mat, 53, suffered a broken collarbone and ankle.
'The 30-day sentence pales in comparison to the suffering endured by the victims,' Sabri said, adding that public outrage showed the need for a heavier sentence.
He added that Darmaraju was speeding and overtook the motorcycle from the right before sideswiping it, causing both victims to be thrown from the vehicle. Darmaraju then fled the scene without offering help.
A dashcam recording submitted to the court confirmed the sequence of events involving the Navara.
Darmaraju was represented by lawyers S Vinesh and T Daneish.
Darmaraju, 32, was initially sentenced to 30 days' jail and fined RM12,000 after pleading guilty to reckless driving under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act.
The offence occurred before the city-bound Jalan Duta toll plaza at 2.30pm on May 10.
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