Taiwanese man to be charged over drug-fuelled crash involving policeman

KUALA LUMPUR: A 52-year-old Taiwanese man who crashed into a police escort rider in Brickfields on Friday, while driving under the influence of drugs, will be charged tomorrow.

City Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the man will face a charge under Section 44(1A)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of drugs and causing injury.

He said the foreigner will also face charges under sections 39A(1) and 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 in a separate drug investigation handled by the Dang Wangi Narcotics Crime Investigation Department.

The crash occurred in Jalan Tun Sambanthan about 8.50pm as a 42-year-old policeman attached to the KL TEID motorcycle unit was returning from escort duty.

Zamzuri said the foreigner, who was travelling from Ampang towards Brickfields, crashed into the policeman, who sustained injuries to his legs and hands.

He said the man attempted to flee but was detained by another motorcycle unit policeman.

"The injured policeman was taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.

"A breathalyser test on the driver returned a negative result for alcohol.

"However, a search of his vehicle uncovered a packet containing pills suspected to be ecstasy," he said.

He added that a preliminary urine test on the man returned positive for methamphetamine, ketamine and amphetamine.

Zamzuri said the suspect was remanded for four days from Nov 1 to assist investigations.

"Today, the investigation papers were referred to the Kuala Lumpur prosecution director at the Attorney-General's Chambers and the suspect was ordered to be charged."

He is scheduled to be charged at the magistrate's court in Jalan Duta.