A five-month-old baby boy was killed, while both parents were injured, after a Perodua Myvi they were travelling in was involved in a collision with a lorry driven by a man suspected of being under the influence of drugs at Kampung Sadek junction along Jalan Baru Kulim–Baling–Gerik last night.
The accident occurred at about 10.30pm as the family of three were reportedly travelling from Kelantan to Penang.
Baling District Police Chief Superintendent Brandon Richard Joe said the infant sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the emergency ward of Baling Hospital. The 27-year-old father and 41-year-old mother are currently receiving treatment at the same facility.
Following the incident, police detained the 43-year-old lorry driver after preliminary urine screening indicated he was positive for drugs. He has since been remanded for four days to assist investigations.
The baby’s remains have been sent to the Forensic Department at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for post-mortem examination.
The case is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causing death, which carries a penalty of 10 to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of RM50,000 to RM100,000 upon conviction.
Baling Fire and Rescue Department chief Zulkhairi Mat Tanjil said seven firefighters were deployed to the scene following an emergency call at 10.32pm, with operations concluding at 11.21pm.
He added that members of the public had earlier assisted in removing the mother and baby from the vehicle, while firefighters extricated the father. The couple sustained facial injuries, while the baby suffered severe head injuries. The lorry driver was reported uninjured.
