Driver Jailed Eight Months For Causing Death Under Syabu
By Malai FadleyRizal

Bandar Seri Begawan - A 26-year-old local man was sentenced to eight months' jail and fined $200 in default for two weeks and disqualified from driving for 12 months effective yesterday.

Ismadi Hj Marali faced charges of causing the death of Norliza Hj Rajid while driving a car, driving without the consent of the owner and driving while under the influence of Methylamphetamine, commonly known as syabu.

The statement of facts tendered in by ASP Yakub Ismail revealed that on August 1, 1998, Ismadi was bringing the deceased, Hj Rosman and Suriani Hj Tajudin from Kg Wasan and driving towards Tutong Camp in a car registered BM 3117.

After sending him, the two together with the deceased then went to buy some fried noodles at the Tutong stalls and later topped up their fuel at Bunut filling station.

It was on the way back when the tragedy happened.

Ismadi drove at a speed of about 120 km to 140 km per hour along Jln Junjungan Limau Manis and on reaching Km10 Ismadi noticed that half of the road was layered with new tar.

On seeing that, Ismadi then moved from the left lane to the right lane.

While negotiating a bend, Ismadi saw an oncoming car and moved back to the left lane and tried to slam on the brakes but accidentally accelerated the car instead which then resulted in his losing control and going over the grass verge and into a drain. The car overturned three times and finally landed side-ways on the grass verge.

During the tragedy, Suriani was thrown out of the car and meanwhile the deceased was trapped in the car with Ismadi. After getting out, Ismadi then managed to pull the deceased out of the car through the broken front windscreen and placed her on the grass verge near the road roller. Ismadi also carried Suriani and placed her near the deceased.

He later managed to stop a passer-by who transported them to Kg Wasan back at Ismadi's house.

He then moved the two to another car and quickly drove to RIPAS Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit at about 2.15am.

At the hospital, Ismadi was informed that Norliza was already dead and Suriani was admitted to ward 9. RIPAS Hospital staff then informed Limau Manis Police who immediately arrived to investigate the matter.

Ismadi's urine and blood sample was taken and was found to contain Methylamphetamine.

Further investigations revealed that Ismadi was driving at that time without the consent of the owner of the car used during the accident. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

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