SEREMBAN: The parents of a 10-year-old boy who crashed the family car into a van will be charged with negligence, police say.
Seremban OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Hatta Che Din said the parents, in their 40s, will be probed under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.
The section states it is an offence for anyone responsible for the care of a child to abandon, neglect, or expose said child to danger so as to cause him/her physical or emotional injury.
ACP Mohamad Hatta said preliminary police investigations have revealed that the parents were not at home when the boy took the car out for a spin.
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"The father was unwell and was taken to hospital for treatment by the boy's mother.
"We have already called the mother in for questioning and will call the father later," he said on Thursday (Sept 5), adding that the couple had allegedly been negligent for leaving the car keys at home.
The boy crashed the car into a parked van while negotiating a bend at Taman Arowana Impian at around 9.30pm on Tuesday (Sept 3).
The impact resulted in the van lurching forward and hitting another car.
The boy's nine-year-old neighbour was with him when the accident happened. Both escaped injury.
ACP Mohamad Hatta said the boy will be investigated under Sections 39(1) and 111 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Rule 10 of the Traffic Rules 1959.
Those with information can contact investigating officer Insp Sudesh Kumar at 016483 0853 to assist in the probe, he added.