Teen run over by police vehicle in Melaka while trying to flee cops

MELAKA: Melaka police have pledged to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegation that an 18-year-old motorcyclist was mowed down by a police patrol vehicle at Jalan Gangsa Kesang in Durian Tunggal here.

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zainol Samah said his men were responding to a complaint about loud noise caused by a group of motorcyclists when the incident occurred at 2.56am on the first day of Hari Raya (April 10).

"The police patrol vehicle, a four-wheel-drive, had its siren and light turned on when arriving at the site to attend to the complaint by the public," he said on Thursday (April 11).

DCP Zainol said the group of motorcyclists, suspected of illegal racing, attempted to flee upon seeing the police vehicle arriving at Jalan Terse, Durian Tunggal here.

He said at this point, the police vehicle from Durian Tunggal station made a right turn on the street when an oncoming motorcyclist rammed into it.

DCP Zainol said a 37-year-old policeman was driving the vehicle when the incident happened.

He added that an investigation is being carried out under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 and two years jail, upon conviction.

Earlier, a 40-second video of the incident went viral where members of the public were seen berating the policeman and accusing him of causing injuries to the teenager on the first day of Hari Raya.

The teenager is currently being treated at Melaka Hospital.