KUANTAN: Failure by a transport company to provide details on a driver who allegedly fled after crashing his tipper lorry into a car which killed three people at Sungai Soi here on Monday could spell disaster.
Indonesian national Bustami Rustam, who was behind the wheel, did not lodge a police report following the 5pm accident and has instead gone into hiding.
When police tracked down his employer, the Ipoh-based company could not shed detailed information on the driver, saying he was only hired three days prior to the mishap.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Aziz Salleh said the company could not assist investigations prompting police to report the matter to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
He said it was an offence for the company to hire a foreigner to drive the tipper lorry and furthermore the company failed to prepare proper documentation for workers under their payroll.
"SPAD will carry out investigation on the company and we will provide the necessary assistance. The driver has been identified as Bustami Rustam and his last known address is Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, Selangor," he told reporters after releasing a photo-fit of the suspect today
He said although the address in Shah Alam existed, policemen could not obtain any details on the suspect who was in his 30s as there was no one living there.
In the ill-fated accident, three members of a family were killed and another was seriously injured when the car they were in collided with the lorry near Kampung Sungai Soi here about 4.50pm.
It was learnt that the transportation company was awarded the contract to carry out earth works and the lorry was laden with soil during the accident.
Investigations revealed Bustami, who drove the 12-tonne lorry, was heading to Kuantan from Sungai Soi, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the oncoming car.
The lorry driver fled on foot after tricking those at the accident scene into believing that he was going to inform the police and his employer about the mishap.