Nissan Navara driver jailed 30 days, fined RM12,000 for reckless driving that seriously injured bikers on Duta Toll Plaza
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025
By: Malay Mail Text Size: Screengrab of a viral video showing the Nissan Navara hitting a couple on a motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza. Kuala Lumpur: A man was reportedly sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined RM12,000 by the Magistrates' Court here today after pleading guilty to reckless driving that seriously injured two motorcyclists on the PLUS Highway. Free Malaysia Today reported that K Darmaraju, 32, admitted to driving recklessly under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a penalty of up to five years' jail and a fine between RM5,000 and RM15,000. 'He has promised not to repeat this mistake,' his lawyer S Vinesh was quoted telling the court, adding that his client regretted the incident and had apologised to the victims. Vinesh pleaded for leniency, citing Darmaraju's RM2,500 monthly income as a salesman, his recent marriage, and his financial responsibility for his elderly parents. The crash took place around 2.30pm on May 10 before the city-bound Jalan Duta toll plaza when Darmaraju's vehicle hit a motorcycle carrying a middle-aged couple from behind. The victims, who were riding in the left lane, suffered serious injuries including bone fractures; the pillion rider sustained head trauma, a broken ankle, and a fractured rib. Darmaraju fled the scene after the collision and was arrested on May 11. Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni ordered the 30-day sentence to begin from the date of arrest, and ruled that Darmaraju would serve six months in jail if he failed to pay the fine. In addition to the prison sentence and fine, the court disqualified Darmaraju from holding a driving licence for five years. The lawyer also informed the court that Darmaraju's father was scheduled for an upcoming eye surgery, further highlighting the family's dependence on him. The prosecution did not oppose the defence's plea but stressed the severity of the injuries and the accused's failure to stop after the incident. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Three weeks' jail each for married couple who smuggled dogs from Malaysia
Both dogs had umbilical hernia, while the dachshund had a bloated belly, patches of hair loss and dirty ears. - Photo: National Parks Board SINGAPORE: A married couple who smuggled a pomeranian and a dachshund across the Causeway for a quick buck have been jailed. Soon Boon Khong and Reina Wong Si Qi, both 28, stood to earn between S$900 and S$1,000 for each completed transaction, according to court documents. On Wednesday (June 4), they were each jailed for three weeks after pleading guilty to two charges under the Animals and Birds Act. Two similar charges were each taken into consideration. In court, District Judge Wong Li Tein said importing animals without proper licensing poses public health risks, which Singapore as a densely populated community cannot afford to take. Judge Wong added that there is public interest in the view that the couple should be jailed for their offences. Soon Boon Khong (left) and Reina Wong Si Qi stood to earn between S$900 and S$1,000 for each completed transaction, according to court documents. - Photos: ST The buyer of the dachshund, Tok Su Wen, 41, was fined $7,000 in December 2024 – the first time the National Parks Board (NParks) has prosecuted a purchaser for abetting animal smuggling. NParks prosecutor Lim Chong Hui told the court that in late 2022, Soon and Wong noticed a demand for pets sold at prices cheaper than those at pet shops in Singapore. They began advertising animals from various sources in Malaysia for sale on social media platforms and chat groups on messaging application Telegram. Initially, the couple only introduced potential buyers to sellers in Malaysia, earning between $50 and $100 for acting as middlemen. After the sellers said they preferred to deal directly with the couple instead of the buyers, Soon and Wong started getting involved in the transportation of the animals. They were aware that importing animals from Malaysia without the requisite licence was illegal but chose to disregard the legal requirements due to the high fees involved. Before their arrest, the couple smuggled a pomeranian and poodle on Feb 1, 2023, without being detected. The dogs' current statuses are unknown. Tok had reached out to Soon and Wong in January 2023 after seeing an ad they had posted on dogs for sale on Telegram. She was informed that the importation of animals would be done illegally, but she decided to go ahead. On Feb 2, 2023, Soon and Wong collected two dogs from a pet shop in Johor Baru. Soon had got the pomeranian as a gift for Wong while the dachshund was to be delivered to Tok's home. The offence came to light when the couple's vehicle was stopped for an inspection at the Woodlands Checkpoint around 6pm that day. Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority found both dogs at the foot area of the front passenger seat. Wong had placed her handbag in front to obscure them from view. Both dogs had umbilical hernia while the dachshund had a bloated belly, patches of hair loss and dirty ears. But they were otherwise alert and hydrated. The couple's lawyer Tan Cheng Kiong argued for a fine instead of jail, noting that the dogs they had brought in were not mistreated or suffering from any canine diseases. Tan also said his clients were first-time offenders. 'They are still relatively young, and I think this is going to be a lesson for them that they will certainly learn from,' he said. In response, Lim said it was purely fortuitous that the dogs had no diseases, and it was not because the couple had taken measures to ensure it. In an earlier statement, NParks said the smuggling and illegal trade of pets pose a threat to public health and also compromise animal welfare. NParks strongly encourages prospective owners to adopt their pets from animal welfare groups or to purchase them from licensed shops. The agency also warned that buyers who abet the illicit importation of their pets into Singapore may also end up facing prosecution. Under the Animals and Birds Act, offenders caught importing any animal or bird without a licence can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. - The Straits Times/ANN
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
Three Jitra IKBN Students Killed, One Injured In NSE Crash
ALOR SETAR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Three students from the Jitra National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) were killed in an accident involving two motorcycles and a car at Kilometre 49.4 on the North-South Expressway (southbound) near here today. Kota Setar police chief ACP Siti Nor Salawati Saad said they received information about the accident at 2.10 pm, involving two motorcycles – a Yamaha 135LC and a Yamaha Y16ZR – and a Naza Citra car. She said the dead were identified as Muhamad Habil Mohd Sobri from Gurun, Muhammad Fahmi Jamel from Jeniang, Sik, and Muhamad Arif Aifan Derani from Bukit Selambau, Sungai Petani. Another friend, Muhammad Adib Aiman Mohd Hasani from Subang Jaya, Selangor, was injured. "The accident is believed to have occurred when the Yamaha 135LC motorcyclist lost control and crashed into the rear of a car that had stopped in the emergency lane. Another motorcycle, trailing behind, was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into the first bike. "In the crash, two motorcyclists and one pillion rider died at the scene, while another individual was injured. The car's driver and passengers were unharmed," she said. She said that the bodies of the three victims, all 19, were sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) for post-mortem. "The injured victim was sent to the same hospital for treatment. The driver of the car has been detained for further investigation, and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. "Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and provide information at the Kota Setar Traffic Police Station or contact Investigating Officer Insp Mohd Lukmanul Hakim Mohd Fauzi at 04-7321222 or 013-9964614," she said.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Three Jitra students killed in accident on NSE
ALOR SETAR: A day that was supposed to bring joy in anticipation of Hari Raya Aidiladha turned into a tragedy when three students from the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Jitra were killed in an accident at KM49.4 of the North-South Expressway, heading south from Alor Setar, on Thursday (June 5), Sinar Harian reports. The Malay language daily reported that in the 2,10pm incident, all the victims were on two motorcycles, travelling back to their respective hometowns to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha. All the victims, aged 19, are believed to have collided with an multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) before the fatal accident occurred. The deceased have been identified as Muhamad Habil Mohd Sobri from Gurun; Muhammad Fahmi Jam from Jeniang, Sik; and Muhamad Arif Aifan Derani from Bukit Selambau, Sungai Petani. Another friend sustained serious injuries due to the collision. Sinar Harian reported that the bodies of all three victims have been sent to the Forensic Department of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) here for further action. The driver of the car has also been detained to assist in the investigation regarding the fatal accident. Kota Setar OCPD Asst Comm Siti Noor Salawati Saad told Sinar Harian that initial investigations revealed the accident occurred when a motorcycle lost control and crashed into the rear of the car, which had stopped in the emergency lane. At the same time, another motorcycle, coming from behind, failed to avoid the collision and hit the motorcycle in front, resulting in a serious crash. "As a result of the incident, two riders and a pillion rider died at the scene. "Another passenger was seriously injured and is now receiving treatment at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB)," ACP Siti Noor Salawati said in a statement Thursday afternoon. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
