Lorry driver, high on drugs, charged in court

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

Ardi Latif, 25, is accused of driving the lorry under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine and was thereby incapable of having proper control of the vehicle that resulted in injuries on another driver, Nik Adlee Saha Nik Ahmad Fauzi, 45.

The accused allegedly committed the offence in 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 yesterday.

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

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Nursyuhada Abd Rauf appeared for the prosecution.

On Sept 6, it was reported that a motorist miraculously 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.

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

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