SARIKEI: Preliminary police investigations found that the accident which claimed the lives of three men at KM431 Jalan Bulat, Pan Borneo Highway, was believed to have been caused by a vehicle making a U-turn before suddenly entering the main lane.
Sarikei police chief Supt Aswandy Anis said the 9pm accident on Saturday involved two pickup trucks.
He said a black pickup truck driven by a 33-year-old local man carrying two other men allegedly entered the main lane while making a U-turn before it was hit by a white pickup truck driven by a 40-year-old man travelling from Sibu towards Sarikei.
As a result of the collision, the occupants of the black pickup truck died at the scene due to severe head injuries, while the driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated at Hospital Sarikei.
The deceased have been identified as Vincent Engan Tula, 33, Stevenson Sigau Ujang Satin, 20, and Indonesian national Muhammad Saerozi, 41.
Aswandy said the case is being investigated under reckless and dangerous driving causing death under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Bernama reported.
He urged witnesses to contact the investigating officer, Insp Ahmad Mustaqim, at 010-442 7241 or the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division, Sarikei District Police Headquarters.
