Villagers Set A Woman's Car On Fire After She Accidentally Hit 14-Year-Old Motorcyclists
The villagers, who set the car ablaze, assumed the woman was drunk. A breathalyser test revealed she wasn't.
By Sadho Ram — 20 Jun 2020, 06:47 PM
On Thursday night, a 56-year-old woman, driving a Kia Spectra, was involved in an accident with two 14-year-old motorcyclists in Penang
The accident happened along Jalan Ara Kuda in Tasek Gelugor while the woman, a vegetable seller, was returning to her home in Kampung Bumbong Lima from Kubang Semang at 9.50pm, 18 June.
She crashed into two motorcyclists who were coming from the opposite direction as she tried to avoid hitting a stray animal crossing the road, according to a statement the woman gave to the authorities.
"This caused her to swerve into the opposite lane. At the same time, the two motorcyclists failed to brake in time and crashed into the right side of the car," Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) district police chief Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Noorzainy Mohd Noor was quoted as saying by New Straits Times today, 20 June.
Following which, the 56-year-old presented herself at Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) district police headquarters to lodge a report about the accident, leaving her car behind at the scene.
The two 14-year-olds, who are twins, suffered serious injuries
"Both motorcyclists sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to the Seberang Jaya Hospital," ACP Noorzainy said.
Both of them have suffered broken legs.
The underaged boys were riding Honda Wave and Yamaha LC, which were damaged along with the car.
However, while the woman was away, villagers set her car on fire
While it is not known who set the vehicle ablaze, the arson attack was carried out by individuals who believed a viral social media post that claimed the woman was driving under the influence of alcohol.
They were angry and assumed that she was drunk. A breathalyser test revealed she wasn't.
By the time the Fire and Rescue Department was alerted to the fire at about 2am on Friday, 19 June, the woman's car had been completely gutted, as seen in photos published by local media outlets.
Police are now looking for suspects responsible for the arson
They have opened an investigation under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire.
The offence carries a maximum imprisonment of 14 years and a fine.
According to ACP Noorzainy, one suspect in the act of arson has been identified.
"We expect to make an arrest soon," he was quoted as saying by our sister site.
"We advise the people not to take matters into their own hands, and certainly not to believe and share false information about an accident. Come to us with information and we will act on it accordingly."
Meanwhile, the accident is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving
The offence carries a fine between RM4,000 to RM10,000 and a jail term not exceeding 12 months.
However, it is not clear if it's just the woman who is being investigated or if the two boys are also under investigation due to both of them being underage and appear to be riding without a licence.
Currently, the minimum age for obtaining a driver's licence is 16 for motorcycles and 17 for cars.
