IPOH: The driver of a trailer in a road accident that killed a family of four has pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless driving.
Suhaimi Mohd Nor, 34, claimed trial to four charges before Magistrate Noor Hafiza Ishak in court here on Thursday (July 21).
He was charged with driving the trailer in a reckless manner, as a result of which it crashed into a car and caused the death of the driver and three passengers.
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The crash took the lives of retired police corporal Rahim Ramli, 60, his wife Siti Petimah Omar, 59, and their daughters Nor Nadirah, 28, and Nor Hamizah, 27.
It occurred at 2.55pm on July 13 at KM277.1 of the North-South Expressway.
If found guilty of the offences under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Suhaimi faces imprisonment of between five and 10 years and a fine of up to RM50,000.
He will also be barred from holding a driving licence for at least five years upon conviction.
DPP N.M. Moganaraj Mithra asked the court to set bail at RM10,000 for each charge, for Suhaimi to surrender his driving licence to the court, and for the accused to report to the nearest police station every month.
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In mitigation, Suhaimi’s lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased and asked for lower bail.
He said his client was married with five children, and was the sole breadwinner of the family.
He said his client lost his job after the accident, and would have difficulty finding work if he surrendered his licence to the court.
Noor Hafiza set bail at RM8,000 in total with one surety to be posted by a family member, and ordered Suhaimi’s driving licence to be suspended pending disposal of the case.
The court also set Aug 4 for mention.
The accused posted bail.