KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of a Mercedes-Benz, whose car caught fire after allegedly colliding with a motorcyclist on the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE), has been charged in court with reckless driving and failing to stop at the scene.
Trader Sum Kah Fei, 34, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before magistrate Haneefa Ariffin.
On the first count, he was accused of driving recklessly, causing a collision that severely injured Muhammad Nur'Faiz Saini @Ausaini, 34.
The offence under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act carries a maximum five-year jail term, a fine of no less than RM5,000 and no more than RM15,000, and disqualification of the driving licence for at least five years upon conviction.
On the second count, he was accused of failing to stop his vehicle when the collision occurred, an offence under Section 52(1), read with Section 119(1)(a), of the same Act.
It is punishable under Section 119(2), which provides for a maximum RM2,000 fine and a jail term of up to six months.
Sum allegedly committed both offences at about 12.35pm on the expressway on Dec 15. A video of the incident went viral.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Amir Hannif Ahijman asked the court to set bail at RM12,000 for both charges.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Quek Kia Ping requested a lower amount, arguing that his client is married with one child.
"There is no reason to fix a high bail amount as the charges are under the Road Transport Act. Moreover, this is not a non-bailable offence, and the bail amount should not be intended to punish the accused," he said.
The court set bail at RM6,000 with one surety for both charges and fixed Feb 24 for document submission.