KUALA TERENGGANU: Police have confirmed that the driver of the car involved in Monday's (Jan 5) fatal crash with a Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) student's car at a traffic-light junction on Jalan Kemajuan is suffering from major depressive disorder.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the 32-year-old man had been receiving psychiatric treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) since January 2025.
He added that the suspect, now in stable condition, was still undergoing treatment at the hospital for a broken right hand and multiple injuries from the crash.
"The suspect is alive despite what’s being said on social media. He's still being treated and will need surgery for a serious hand injury," he said in a statement today.
Azli said further investigation found that, before the accident, the suspect had broken into a car parked near the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium here at around 1.45pm, stealing several items, including RM200 in cash.
He said the suspect then got back into another car with the stolen items and cash and sped off, resulting in the crash on Jalan Kemajuan, as captured on dashcam.
"A check by the Road Transport Department found that the car driven by the suspect belonged to his brother and was not a stolen vehicle as claimed and circulated on social media," he said.
Azli urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, showing respect for the victim's family.
He also called on all parties to allow the police space to conduct a thorough, transparent investigation to ensure justice is served.
"The suspect will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 once he has completed his surgery and fully recovered," he said.
In the incident at 1.55pm, the victim, Syakirah Hanan Mazli, 25, who was travelling from UniSZA towards Bukit Kecil, was hit by a car coming from the opposite direction as she turned right after the traffic light turned green.
The second-semester postgraduate diploma in education student died on the spot. – Bernama
