A Malaysian family has had to endure the unspeakable pain of tragedy after an alleged drunk driver had crashed into their vehicle. The accident was said to have occurred last Saturday evening along kilometer 57 of Jalan Batu Pahat-Mersing from Kluang headed towards Mersing, according to local newspaper Berita Harian.
Malaysian family crashes car after being rear-ended by alleged drunk driver
At the time, a blue Toyota Vios being driven by 34-year-old Mohd Yusof Othman was rear ended from behind by a Nissan Navara pickup truck, causing him to lose control of his car before swerving and crashing into a tree on the left side of the road shoulder. Prior to that, the pickup truck could be seen being driven recklessly at speed.
In spite of causing the accident, the pickup truck appears to have sped up and fled the scene of the crash promptly after. Footage of the incident was recorded by a vehicle tailing behind, and has since spread across the local social media space.
As reported by local news outlet Harian Metro, Yusof had been driving his family back to their home in Felda Kahang Timur after making a purchase of car accessory parts for his customer in the city when they crashed their car. Consequently, both his daughters aged six-years-old and five-months-old respectively, sustained severe injuries from the accident.
It is understood that his youngest daughter suffered a brain hemorrhage in addition to an injury to her hip bone, while her older sister suffered a brain hemorrhage and a swollen jaw bone.
Children under medically-induced coma
Mohd Yusof’s 37-year-old schoolteacher wife, Faridah Hassan, was also injured. All are currently being treated in Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom (HEBHK).
“Both of my children have been put under a coma and have to undergo scans, if there is severe bleeding on the brain, they will undergo surgery.
“I am upset because accidents like this (due to drunk drivers) have happened frequently. The offenders should receive punishments that are commensurate with their wrongdoings,” he said.
The 29-year-old driver of the Nissan pickup truck has since been arrested by the police and is being suspected for driving under the influence of alcohol during the collision. Samples of his blood have been obtained at HEBHK for the purposes of conducting a toxicology examination. A urine test indicated that the driver tested negative for drug use. He also had no prior record of offense.
The accident will now be investigated under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving recklessly and dangerously.
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