Three members of an Indian family, including a three-year-old girl, were killed in a head-on collision involving a Perodua Myvi and a Toyota Hilux along Jalan Tanjung Tualan, Batu Gajah on Monday (8 February) night.
The victims have been identified as S.R Sarala Devi, 34 who was driving the Myvi, G.Sarasbathy Gopal, 65, her mother who was seated in the front passenger seat, and her daughter S. Shaastikka, 3 years old.
According to Batu Gajah District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Md Noor Aehawan Mohamad, police received a report about the accident at approximately 9:50 pm. Preliminary investigations found that the 27-year-old driver of the Toyota Hilux was travelling from Kampar towards Bemban when the accident occurred. He is believed to have overtaken another vehicle before crashing into the Myvi, which was coming from the opposite direction.
Sarala Devi and Sarasbathy Gopal were pronounced dead at the scene. The child, Shaastikka was rushed to Batu Gajah Hospital for treatment but later passed away while receiving treatment. The Hilux driver sustained minor injuries to his knees and arms. A urine screening test conducted on him returned positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), substance linked to cannabis use.
The 27-year-old driver has been detained to assist in investigations, which are being conducted under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
Source: UtusanTV
