KUALA LUMPUR: The driver suspected of causing a six-vehicle accident along Jalan Kuching that resulted in the death of a five-year-old girl has claimed trial to charges at the Magistrates' Court here.
Raeven Goh Wey Haur, 24, was charged with driving in a dangerous manner along Jalan Kuching while travelling from the city centre towards Segambut at 3.44pm on Saturday (Oct 10).
The charges were framed under Sections 41(1) and 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving and for the act of reckless or dangerous driving, respectively.
He was also charged under Section 52(1) for failing to stop his vehicle and report the accident.
Section 41(1) provides for between five and 10 years' jail, a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, as well as a mandatory driving licence disqualification for at least five years, upon conviction.
Section 42(1), meanwhile carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years, upon conviction
Those found guilty under Section 52(1) may be fined up to RM2,000, or jailed up to six months, for a first offence.
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Goh pleaded not guilty to all three charges before Magistrate Aliaa Anwar on Thursday (Oct 15).
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry then requested that bail be set at RM50,000 for the first charge, RM15,000 for the second charge, and RM10,000 for the third.
He also requested that the suspect’s passport be surrendered to the court until the case is resolved.
Goh’s lead counsel Kailash Sharma argued that there was no risk of his client fleeing the country as his family had cooperated fully with the police.
"His family gave full cooperation to the police in the first 24 hours after the accident and this includes providing details like what hospital he was being treated in, as well as the bed number.
"This shows that the accused and his family do not have a high risk of fleeing the country," he told the court.
He also proposed that Goh’s 55-year old father serve as his son's bailor for all charges.
The court then set bail at RM22,000 for the first charge, RM12,000 for the second charge, and RM2,000 for the third charge with Goh’s father as bailor.
The court also ordered the suspect to surrender his passport and suspended his driving licence pending disposal of the case.
The Magistrate then fixed Nov 19 for document submission and next mention.
On Saturday, a car allegedly driven by the suspect crashed into the rear of another car carrying a father and a five-year-old girl along Jalan Kuching.
The crash then triggered a series of collisions involving six vehicles, including a motorcycle, and the suspect allegedly drove away without checking on the other vehicles.
The accident resulted in the death of the girl, and injuries to her father as well as a 33-year-old motorcyclist.
