A Chinese national who drove against the flow of traffic and caused an accident in Sungai Petani, Kedah, has died just hours after being sentenced for the offence.
The man, identified as Lu Xun, pleaded guilty in court earlier that day. He was sentenced to a RM10,000 fine, one day in prison, and a two-year driving disqualification.
However, shortly after paying the fine and being released, he reportedly felt unwell and was rushed to the hospital, where he later passed away.
Declining health and court appearance
According to Sin Chew, Lu appeared extremely weak when police escorted him to court in the morning. He was seen slumped in his seat in the police vehicle and later required assistance from officers to reach the holding area.
During the proceedings, Lu used a wheelchair and appeared emotionally unstable. His 20-year-old daughter was present and was seen comforting him. Defence lawyer Chong Hsien Ming later stated that Lu felt very unwell after being released and was sent to Pantai Hospital for emergency treatment, but doctors could not save him. His daughter has since lodged a police report regarding the incident.
Details of the offence
The charges stemmed from an incident on 26 April at approximately 9:20 PM, when Lu was driving along the western bypass of Sungai Petani. He drove into the opposite lane and collided with another vehicle.
This led to charges under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.
Personal life and medical condition
Lu had lived in Sungai Petani for approximately 30 years. He was married to a local woman and had one daughter, who is currently studying in Penang. It was revealed in court that Lu suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, and his health had deteriorated significantly in recent times.
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) confirmed to the media that Lu died at approximately 5:30 PM at a private hospital. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause of death.
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