KUALA LUMPUR: "I will not forgive him" – this was the brief but heart-breaking statement made by the widow of Mohamed Zaili Mohamed, who became the latest drink driving casualty when the motorcycle he was riding was rear-ended here, early today.
Zahlawati Zahlan, 47, said no amount of money would be able bring back her husband, whom she described as the backbone of the family, especially when it came to taking care of her and their five children.
In her statement, she was referring to Khor Yong Zhang, 21, who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol at a Magistrate's Court here this afternoon.
"My life was dependent on my husband, who was doing all kinds of part time jobs, more so after the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented.
"This includes delivering food ordered by customers through our small time business.
"I have now lost him," she said, adding that her husband's four step-children, aged between 7 and 15; as well as their own child, aged 6, are now fatherless.
Speaking to reporters when met at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's Forensic Department, Zahlawati said her late husband left their home at 9.30pm last night to deliver food for his friend in Pantai Dalam.
"At about 1.30am, I tried calling him as many as five times. However, there was no reply. The sixth time I called, someone answered and he informed me that my husband had met with an accident.
"I immediately rushed to the scene and found him lifeless, lying on the ground, covered in blood," she said.
In the 1.30am accident, Zaili was thrown to the road shoulder of the Sultan Iskandar Expressway (Lebuhraya Mahameru) after a car driven by a man under the influence of alcohol rear-ended his motorcycle.
The car was brought to a stop by alarmed members of the public.
The 44-year-old victim died on-the-spot due to severe head injuries.
He is the latest in a string of fatal drink driving accidents in the country which now has authorities mulling tougher punishments for driving while intoxicated.