BUKIT MERTAJAM: A 19-year-old part-time model who allegedly drove against traffic on the highway and caused a fatal accident in March has been charged with reckless driving.
Ng Pei Ven (pic above) was initially charged under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 with driving under the influence of drugs to the extent that she was incapable of controlling her vehicle, resulting in a death.
She is now charged under Section 41 of the same Act with driving recklessly to the extent of causing the death of Mohamad Fandi Rosli, 26.
Ng, who was without her lawyer, pleaded not guilty to the new charge which was read out by a court interpreter during mention at a magistrate’s court here yesterday.
Magistrate Jamaliah Abd Manap then set Aug 28 for next mention and ordered that her lawyer be present.
Ng is said to have driven in the oncoming lane on the North-South Expressway, crashing into Mohamad Fandi’s car and killing him on the spot, at the 134km mark near Permatang Pauh, at about 7.50am on March 14.
Four other vehicles were also damaged in the accident.
If convicted, she faces a jail term of not less than two years and a fine of not less than RM5,000. Her driving licence has been suspended for the duration of the trial.
After her case was heard, Ng put on a surgical mask and black cap before leaving the courtroom.
She left the courthouse quickly, looking down as her mother guided her away from press photographers.
It was reported on May 13 that Ng was freed of a charge of administering drugs to herself after deputy public prosecutor Kamaliza Md Zin informed the court that her urine test result was negative.
