MERADONG: A pickup truck driver has been sentenced to 10 years’ jail and fined RM50,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of a motorcyclist in Bintangor.
Sumping Judi, 57, pleaded guilty before Sarikei Magistrate Stella Augustine Druce yesterday to the charge framed under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment 2020).
The court also ordered him to serve an additional 12 months in prison if he failed to pay the fine.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohammad Azeem Mohd Ridzo while investigation was conducted by Insp Mohd Zainal Abdul Ghafar of the district Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division.
Meradong police said the fatal crash occurred at around 5.10 pm on May 5 along Mile 4, Jalan Lasi, Bintangor.
Sumping was driving a pickup truck from Jalan Lasi towards Jalan KJD when he allegedly lost control while negotiating a bend, veered into the opposite lane and collided with the victim’s motorcycle.
Both vehicles then skidded to the right side of the road, while the motorcyclist was thrown onto the roadside and sustained injuries.
The victim was rushed to Julau Polyclinic for treatment but was pronounced dead at the Emergency Unit at 7.42 pm that day by a medical officer.
A chemical analysis found no ethyl alcohol in the victim’s blood sample.
However, Sumping’s blood sample contained 127mg of ethyl alcohol per 100ml of blood, exceeding the prescribed legal limit.
In light of this, police stressed that stern action would be taken against motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Such behaviour not only puts the driver at risk but can also endanger the lives of other road users.
Members of the public are urged not to drive after consuming alcohol and to always comply with road traffic laws and regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.
