Pickup truck driver claims trial to causing man's death in crash

SEREMBAN: A pickup truck driver was charged in the magistrate's court here today with dangerous driving that caused the death of a man two days ago.

T. Haritaran, 37, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli.

According to the charge, Haritaran, while driving a Toyota Hilux, drove dangerously, causing the death of Mohammad Fauzee Azmi, 37.

The incident allegedly occurred at Km 282.4 of the North-South Expressway near Nilai at 3pm on Nov 4.

The charge was framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

The offence carries a jail term of between five and 10 years, a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years from the date of conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Noor Hafiza Ishak proposed bail at RM10,000, with an additional condition that the accused's driving licence be suspended until the disposal of the case.

Counsel L. Rakesh pleaded for minimum bail, saying his client earned between RM2,500 and RM3,000 a month as a technician.

The court granted bail at RM9,000, ordered the driving licence suspended until the case concludes, and fixed Jan 7 next year for mention and submission of documents.