15-Year-Old Driver Sentenced After Fatal Accident in Kuching
In a tragic incident that occurred in January, a 15-year-old boy has been sentenced to six years in a rehabilitation centre following a serious car accident on Jalan Stutong, Kuching, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals. The decision was made by the magistrate’s court, which also imposed a fine of RM1,500 on the young driver. If he fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional two months in prison.
The teenager faced two charges and admitted to both in court. The first charge accused him of reckless driving, which led to the fatalities, violating Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. This charge carries a potential sentence of imprisonment for a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years, along with a fine ranging from RM20,000 to RM50,000.
The second charge pertained to driving without a valid license, violating Section 39(1) of the same act, which could result in a fine of up to RM2,000, a maximum six-month imprisonment, or both.
Court’s Ruling and Public Reaction
The magistrate ruled that the defendant would be sent to the Henry Gurney Rehabilitation Centre until he turns 21. For the second charge, he was fined RM1,500, with the alternative of two months in jail if the fine is not paid.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Fazli highlighted the severity of the accident, which claimed five lives, and noted the increasing number of similar incidents involving young drivers in Kuching. The prosecution urged the court to impose a stricter sentence to serve as a warning to society and to protect public interest.
At the time of the accident, the defendant was driving from the direction of the airport towards Jalan Stutong when he lost control of the vehicle, veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with multiple cars. Footage of the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing significant public attention.
The victims included three males and one female, aged between 16 and 45, who died at the scene. A 16-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries later at the Sarawak Central Hospital. Remarkably, the young driver only sustained minor injuries to his neck and was subsequently detained by the police. He did not have legal representation during the proceedings.
Parental Responsibility
In a related matter, the boy’s 35-year-old father was also penalised for failing to supervise his underage child. On May 14, the same court imposed a fine of RM15,000 on him, with a 12-month imprisonment sentence if the fine is not paid. This case underscores the critical importance of responsible parenting and the need for stricter regulations regarding young drivers.
Image Source: Mohd Faisal Ahmad Video