The Singaporean Maserati driver who allegedly caused the death of a Malaysian motorcyclist had pleased not guilty in a Malaysian court. The 27-year-old man caused the fatal accident along the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway in Johor, on 9th May.
The driver, Irshad Abdul Hameed, a civil servant in Singapore made his plea after his charge was read out in court. He was accused of driving his Maserati dangerously and causing the death of A. Vasanthraj, 32, at 6.40 pm on that day.
Thus, he was charged under the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving which caused the death of another individual. If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in jail and fined up to RM50,000 as this was his first offence under the Act.
The court set a bail at RM12,000 and revoked the defendant’s driving license. He is also required to check in at the nearby police station once a month.
Irshad was travelling towards Johor initially, but made an allegedly illegal u-turn towards Singapore. However, the car crashed into a metal barrier, causing the latter to protrude into the right-most lane.
The deceased could not avoid the barrier and crashed. He was confirmed dead on location due to severe head and leg injuries.
Irshad’s two lawyers insisted that their client did not attempt to make an illegal u-turn. Instead, the car had suffered problems causing Irshad to lose control and hit the barrier, and ended up stalling on the opposite side of the road.
Local motorcyclists who arrived later on the scene were said to have confronted Irshad and his passenger, besides vandalising the Maserati.
Hearing will recommence on 10th June.
