PETALING JAYA: A vegetable trader has claimed trial to a charge of reckless driving that resulted in an accident that killed three people in Besut, Terengganu.
Muhammad Maani Salleh, 24, was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act (RTA) at the Besut Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Nurliyana Md Zukri on Thursday (Nov 28).
Sinar Harian reported that Muhammad Maani was accused of driving a pickup truck recklessly, causing the deaths of Kamarudin Ibrahim, 55; his wife Maimunah Mat Isa, 54; and their second child, Nur Ardiena Kamarudin, 30.
The offence occurred at KM35 of the Kuala Terengganu-Kota Baru federal road near Kampung Sungai Lerek at approximately 4.30am on Monday (Nov 25).
If found guilty, he faces a prison sentence of between five and 10 years, and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000.
If convicted, he will also lose his driving license for at least five years.
The court granted the accused bail at RM3,500 with one surety and suspended his driving license pending the next hearing on Jan 6, 2025.
The accused was also charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1987 at the same court for allegedly ingesting a substance believed to be Nimetazepam.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Akmal Mohd Jazlee prosecuted, while the accused was represented by the National Legal Aid Foundation.
