ROMPIN: The driver of a lorry that crashed into a house, killing of two siblings in Pekan last Saturday, has pleaded not guilty in the Magistrates' Court here.
Muhammad Fadzil Zakaria, 40, from Taman Bukit Indah, Johor entered the plea after two charges were read before Magistrate Melody Woon Sze Mun.
For the first charge, the father of one is accused of using methamphetamine at the narcotics crime investigation division room at the Pekan police headquarters at 4.10pm on Aug 3.
He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to two years imprisonment, and a supervision order of between two and three years, upon conviction.
The second charge involves driving the trailer under the influence of methamphetamine, which led to the deaths of Nurnazatul Fasiha Nasruddin, 32, and her brother Mohd Waldon Faris, 21, in Kampung Ketapang Hilir at 4.15 am last Saturday.
The charge under Section 44(1)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987, provides for a prison sentence of between 10 and 15 years, and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Asyikin Hashim appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Ahmad Deniel Roslan.
Magistrate Woon granted bail of RM7,000 for both charges with one surety and suspended the accused's driving licence until the conclusion of the proceedings.
The next hearings are set for Oct 7 and Aug 26, for the first and second charges respectively.
The trailer, carrying plaster ceiling boards from Johor Baru to Kuantan, is believed to have lost control while making a turn and skidded into the opposite lane before crashing into the house.
Nurnazatul Fasiha died at the scene while her brother Mohd Waldon Faris passed away at the Pekan Hospital.
The victims' parents, Norrulaini Mohd Hassan, 54, and Nasruddin Othman, 60, as well as Mohd Waldon Faris's friend, Muhammad Gabriel Miqhael Muhammad Faidzal, 19, sustained injuries and were treated at the same hospital. – Bernama
