KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of a BYD involved in a crash that claimed the life of a five-year-old girl on Jalan Kuching last Saturday was charged today with three offences, including dangerous driving resulting in the child’s death.
Roeven Goh Wey Haur, 24, a bank officer, pleaded not guilty after all three charges were read out before Magistrate Aliaa Anwar.
He was charged with driving a BYD Seal dangerously to the public, resulting in the death of five-year-old Asiah Ahmad Syahir.
The charge was framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 10 years, as well as a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000 upon conviction.
If convicted, Goh may also be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of not less than 10 years from the date of conviction.
He was also charged with driving the same vehicle dangerously to the public, taking into consideration the prevailing traffic conditions, under Section 42(1) of the same Act.
The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of not less than RM15,000, as well as disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of not less than five years.
For the third charge, he was accused of failing to stop his vehicle after being involved in a road accident, under Section 52(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM2,000 or imprisonment for up to six months upon conviction.
All three offences were allegedly committed at about 3.44 pm on Oct 10 along Jalan Kuching, from the city centre towards Jalan Segambut.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry proposed bail of RM50,000 with one surety for all three charges, citing the seriousness of the offences.
“The prosecution also requests additional conditions requiring the accused’s passport to be surrendered to the court and his driving licence to be suspended from today until the conclusion of the case,” he said.
Lawyer Khailash Sharma, representing Goh, sought a lower bail amount, arguing that his client’s family had co-operated with police following the incident.
“The proposed surety is the accused’s father, a 55-year-old businessman. Within 24 hours of the incident, beginning at 8 pm, the accused’s family co-operated by lodging a police report. We seek bail that is not punitive,” he said.
The court allowed Goh to be released on RM36,000 bail with one surety for all three charges, along with the additional conditions proposed by the prosecution.
The court also set Nov 19 for mention of the case.
The victim’s family was present in court today, accompanied by lawyer Nur Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor, who attended as watching brief counsel.
Earlier, media reports said a five-year-old girl travelling in a Perodua Bezza suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at Kuala Lumpur Hospital after being involved in a six-vehicle crash.
The accident, which occurred at about 3.44 pm, was believed to have happened when the BYD Seal driven by the accused crashed into the rear of the car carrying the victim, which was moving slowly in traffic from the city centre towards Segambut.
The collision also involved a motorcycle, before the Perodua Bezza spun into the right lane and collided with three other vehicles — a Nissan Almera, Toyota Alphard and Perodua Myvi.
The driver of the Perodua Bezza, who was the victim’s father, and the motorcycle rider were also injured in the incident.