A 41-year-old Bangladeshi driver was sentenced to eight months in prison and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving license for life after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Magistrate Hajah Normazdina binti Haji Mohd Maskub handed down the sentence to Hellal on January 22.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Emily Goh revealed in court that the fatal accident occurred on March 30, 2021, at approximately 8.35am on Jalan Padnunok, Kiudang, Tutong. Hellal, who was employed as a driver by a company at the time, was driving a vehicle with five passengers en route to a project site in Lamunin.
While attempting to overtake four vehicles near the Sungai Simut bridge on a single-lane carriageway, Hellal collided head-on with a car driven by a 78-year-old man. The impact caused severe injuries to the victim, who was rushed to Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Investigations revealed that Hellal’s overtaking maneuver at a bend, where visibility of oncoming traffic was limited, created a dangerous situation. Additionally, his vehicle’s right rear tire was found to be bald, further compromising safety. – Fadley Faisal
