BYD Seal Driver Released on Bail After Pleading Not Guilty to Causing 5yo Asiah's Death in Jalan Kuching Crash

The 24-year-old BYD Seal driver involved in the multi-vehicle crash along Jalan Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of five-year-old Asiah Ahmad Syahir.

The driver, Raeven Goh Wey Haur, was handcuffed and escorted to the court complex by traffic police following his arrest after being discharged from hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for a concussion.

He pleaded not guilty to three traffic offences: causing the death of the five-year-old through reckless driving, driving in a manner that endangered other road users, and failing to stop and report an accident.

Image Credit: BERNAMA

Goh was charged with committing the offences on 10 October at 3:44 PM. The incident also involved three other vehicles and a motorcycle. The court proceedings were attended by Asiah's parents and Goh's father.

The first charge, causing Asiah's death through reckless driving, was brought under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. If convicted, he faces a jail term of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000.

Image Credit: Utusan Malaysia

Meanwhile, for the second charge of reckless and dangerous driving that endangered other road users, Goh was charged under Section 42(1) of the same Act. The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000 upon conviction.

Both offences also carry a minimum five-year disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence.

Additionally, Goh's third charge, for failing to stop and report an accident, was framed under Section 52(1) of the Act. Upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM2,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

Goh's lawyer sought lower bail, citing no flight risk

According to a report by NST, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry sought RM50,000 bail for all three charges.

He also urged the court to consider the nature and seriousness of the offences when determining bail. In addition, he applied for Goh's passport to be impounded and for his driving licence to be suspended until the case is concluded.

Meanwhile, lawyer Kailash Sharma, who represented Goh, urged the court to impose a lower bail amount, arguing that his client posed no flight risk. He added that Goh's father, a businessman of more than 20 years, would act as his surety.

"The court can peruse the timeline of this case, where by 8pm, within the first 24 hours of the incident, the family had furnished details such as the hospital, ward and bed number to the investigating officer.

"These show that he poses no risk of absconding," he said.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Magistrate Aliaa Anwar set bail at RM36,000 with one surety for all three charges.

Goh was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court, while his driving licence was suspended until the disposal of the case.

Goh has since been released on bail

At about 11:30 AM on the same day he was brought to court, Goh's father posted the RM36,000 bail.

He was accompanied by his father and lawyer at the bail payment counter, where the payment was made in the presence of a traffic policeman.

The court has fixed 19 November for case mention.

Featured Image Credit: NST