Trailer truck driver charged over fatal accident

KOTA KINABALU: A trailer truck driver claimed trial in the Traffic Court here yesterday to reckless driving which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist last year.

Saunam Salimun, 59, who appeared before magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie faces a charge under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which is punishable by a maximum jail of five years and a fine of up to RM20,000, upon conviction.

The accused allegedly drove the lorry recklessly and was involved in the road accident which resulted in the death of one Freaddysiswanto Jaihya, 41, at KKIP Selatan Sepanggar at about 8.30am on March 13, 2017.

The court fixed January 2 next year for pre-trial case management and the accused was granted RM2,000 bail with one local surety.

Apart from that, the accused’s driving licence will be kept by the court, pending disposal of the case.

Traffic prosecuting officer Inspector Hanif Mamyudi and the accused was represented by counsel Jaikol Situn from the National Legal Aid Foundation.

In an unrelated case, a woman was fined RM2,000, in default, two months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here for possessing four pieces of lottery tickets without licence.

R Tinah John, 28, pleaded guilty before the same magistrate to committing the offence at a compound of a premises at the Manggatal township on November 14.

The accused was convicted under Section 9 (1) of the Common Gaming House Act which is punishable by a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum jail of six months or both, upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Suzie@ Stephanie Kupit prosecuted.