Lorry driver charged with driving under the influence of drugs in pile-up

KUALA LUMPUR: A lorry driver has been charged at a Magistrate's Court here with driving under the influence of drugs in a multiple vehicle crash that went viral earlier this week.

Ardi Latif, 25, was accused to have driven the lorry under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine, where he was incapable of having proper control of the vehicle and had caused injuries to a car driver, Nik Adlee Saha Nik Ahmad Fauzi, 45.

The accused allegedly committed the offence at Jalan Segambut Utara heading towards Jalan Ipoh at 2.40pm on Sept 6.

The charge under Section 44(1A) of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a maximum jail of 10 years and fine of between RM30,000 and RM50,000, and disqualification from driving for a period of no less than seven years from the date of conviction, if convicted.

Ardi pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before magistrate Amanina Mohd Anuar here on Friday (Sept 10).

The court fixed bail at RM7,000 in one surety and ordered for the accused's driving licence to be suspended pending the disposal of the case.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Nursyuhada Abd Rauf appeared for the prosecution.

On Sept 6, it was reported that a motorist had a miraculous escape 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.

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

A dashcam footage of the crash, showing the lorry ramming the vehicles waiting at a traffic light intersection, had gone viral on social media.