A Singaporean driver of a red Maserati has been charged in connection with a fatal accident that occurred along the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link Highway on May 9, which resulted in the death of a Malaysian motorcyclist.
Crash occurred after alleged illegal U-turn
Johor police said the incident took place around 6.40pm at KM0.6 of the Second Link Highway, near the Malaysian side.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Muhammad Irshad Abdul Hameed, allegedly made an illegal U-turn in his red Maserati, crashing into the central divider.
The collision caused a section of the metal barrier to jut out into the opposite lane. Roughly 15 minutes later, a Malaysian motorcyclist riding a yellow Honda RS collided with the barrier, suffering fatal injuries.
Victim died on the spot
The victim, identified as 32-year-old A Vasanthraj, died at the scene due to severe injuries to his head and left leg.
Police also reported that the crash caused the victim’s motorcycle storage box to fly into oncoming traffic, but no further injuries were reported.
Iskandar Puteri District Police Chief Kumarasan A/L Muniandy confirmed to NST that the Maserati driver is being investigated for reckless and dangerous driving under Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987.
Driver pleads not guilty
Irshad appeared in the Magistrate’s Court in Johor today (May 16), where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of RM50,000.
According to Malay Mail, his lawyers argued that there was no illegal U-turn, claiming the car had malfunctioned, leading to the crash into the road divider.
They added that the motorcyclist hit the barrier later, and not the Maserati itself.
Crowd reacts violently at scene
Footage circulating on social media showed the red Maserati being surrounded by multiple motorcyclists after the crash.
Several were seen using helmets to smash its windows and windscreen, while shouting at the driver and his passenger.
Malaysian police officers later intervened, preventing further violence and escorting the two men from the scene.
Case adjourned to June
The court granted Irshad bail at RM12,000 and ordered him to report monthly to a police station.
His driving licence has also been suspended pending the outcome of the trial.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for June 10, as investigations continue.
Police have called for eyewitnesses to step forward to assist with the case.
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