Trailer driver that caused fatal highway crash detained, had 13 traffic offences

KUALA KANGSAR (Bernama): The driver of the trailer which crashed into a car which then caught fire, killing the driver and five passengers in it, in an accident at KM255.3 of the North-South Expressway north-bound on Saturday (Oct 6), has been detained by the police.

Kuala Kangsar district police chief ACP Razali Ibrahim said the trailer driver, aged 41, was detained by the police soon after the crash which occurred at 11.47am.

“According to the trailer driver, he was forced to veer the trailer towards the road divider to slow down his vehicle due to brake failure, and in doing so, grazed and hit three vehicles, a Perodua Myvi, a Proton Iswara and a Kia Forte.

“However, only the Kia Forte was squeezed in between the trailer and the concrete wall, “ he told reporters when met at the Forensic Unit of the Kuala Kangsar Hospital here Sunday (Oct 7).

Razali said the trailer driver, who is from Alor Setar, Kedah, had 13 traffic summonses issued against him, including for speeding.

The driver would be brought before the Kuala Kangsar Magistrate's Court Monday (Oct 8) for the police to obtain an order to remand him, he added.

Meanwhile, he said several individuals, believed to be family members of the victims, had come forward to do a DNA test for the purpose of identifying the victims, who were burnt to death in the accident. - Bernama