Lorry driver charged with murder over three deaths in Segamat crash

 

A lorry driver who caused a fatal crash that killed three people in Segamat last week has been charged with murder.

The victims were K Myakrishnan, 71, his wife, S Sevendai, 65, and the latter’s brother S Palamiandy, 75.

The charge is punishable with either the death penalty or between 30 and 40 years in prison. If the death sentence is not imposed, the offender must be whipped at least 12 times.

The accused, Shafiq Salleh, who was not represented, understood the charges at the Segamat Magistrate's Court, but the 29-year-old did not enter a plea as the case falls under the High Court's jurisdiction.

Bail was not granted, and case mention has been set for May 21 to get the pathology, forensic and medical reports, Bernama reported.

During the April 2 incident, which occurred just 200m away from the victims’ home, the accused, who was reportedly under the influence of drugs, rear-ended the van that the family was in, causing them to crash into another lorry on the opposite lane.

Myakrishnan and Sevendai’s grandchildren, aged 22 and 18, were also seriously injured in the accident, with the younger one now reportedly in critical condition due to brain injuries. - Mkini