A 28-year-old Porsche Cayenne driver pleaded not guilty in court yesterday (16 February) to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the deaths of a married couple in Pahang.
The accused, Shaun Lau, a resident of Mentakab, Pahang, was released on RM10,000 bail by the Temerloh Magistrate’s Court.
The fatal collision
On Saturday (14 February), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) confirmed in a statement that the accused had been driving under the influence of alcohol before his luxury vehicle lost control and collided with the couple’s Proton Prevé.
The impact caused the victims’ car to catch fire, and the pair were tragically found charred inside the wreckage. The victims, aged 34 and 35, were reportedly travelling towards Kuantan when the crash occurred at KM134 of Jalan Kuala Lumpur–Kuantan in Temerloh.
The accused is facing up to 15 years imprisonment and up to RM100,000 fine
In an official statement, Temerloh District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azsyim bin Haji Bahron, stated that the accused was charged under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
If convicted, Lau, who is a durian farmer, faces a mandatory prison sentence of between 10 and 15 years. Additionally, the provision carries a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000.
The case has been set for mention and the appointment of a lawyer on 7 April.
