Man cheats death as car crushed in pile-up involving six vehicles

KUALA LUMPUR: A motorist escaped with only light injuries to his face after the car he was driving was crushed in a six-vehicle pile-up caused by a runaway lorry.

City Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Asst Comm Sarifudin Mohd Salleh said the accident occurred at around 2.40pm on Monday (Sept 6) at the traffic light intersection along Jalan Ipoh.

"The incident involved a lorry and five other vehicles.

"Our investigations revealed the lorry was headed from Jalan Duta toward Sentul when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the five cars," he said in a statement.

He said the victim's car was caught between the lorry and an SUV and was crushed by the force of the impact.

"He was taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital where he received treatment at the green zone.

"The other motorists escaped unharmed," he said, adding that the driver of the lorry also escaped unharmed.

He said the lorry driver was detained and initial tests showed he was not under the influence of alcohol.

He was then taken to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for a urine test.

"He tested positive for methamphetamines and amphetamines.

"We have classified the case under Section 44(1A) of the Road Transport Act for causing the death of or injury to others when driving a motor vehicle on a road or other public place while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs," he said.

Several videos and pictures of the accident from dashcam footage have been circulating on social media and messaging apps.

One video shows the car, reduced to an unrecognisable wreck, pinned between the lorry and the SUV.

Another video shows several people frantically trying to pry open the wrecked vehicle, and the driver emerges with blood on his face and walks away.

He urged those with information on the case to contact the Tun HS Lee traffic police station at 03-2071 9999 or the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department hotline at 03-2026 0267/