UPM crash bus driver jailed 7 days, fined RM8,000

UPM crash bus driver jailed 7 days, fined RM8,000

PETALING JAYA: The bus driver involved in the crash near Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) last Saturday, which injured three kindergarteners and a teacher, has been sentenced to seven days in jail and a fine of RM8,000 by the magistrates’ court here.

Hamir Masrudin, 44, pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Berita Harian reported.

Magistrate Nur Nastasya Mohtarudin also ordered the driver to be jailed seven months if the fine is not paid.

Unrepresented, Hamir pleaded for leniency, saying he had to support his family, including his sick mother.

However, deputy public prosecutor Nurain Syafiqeen Rozi said a fitting sentence was necessary, urging the court to prioritise public interest.

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“He drove negligently, at high speed and dangerously. In this case, three children and one teacher were injured due to his reckless driving.

“I request an appropriate sentence and also that his licence be suspended in accordance with Section 42 of the Road Transport Act,” she said.

The incident occurred at 12.18pm last Saturday when the bus, carrying five teachers and 30 children, skidded and crashed into a tree along Jalan Persiaran Universiti 1.

Dashcam footage, which went viral, showed the bus veering off course before the impact.

Serdang police chief Farid Ahmad said the driver previously had 13 traffic summonses and that the accident was caused by the driver’s lack of sleep and tiredness.

Road transport department director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said a safety audit would also be conducted on the bus operator.