Mercedes driver on remand over suspected hit-and-run, say cops

KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of the Mercedes Benz that caught fire at Km18.1 of the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) yesterday is on remand for suspected involvement in a hit-and-run incident that caused serious injuries to a motorcyclist.

Kuala Lumpur traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) chief Zamzuri Isa said the remand order against the 34-year-old male driver was made to facilitate an investigation under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

In the incident which occurred at about 12.35pm, Zamzuri said the driver of the Mercedes GLE450 AMG Coupe, was believed to have hit a man riding a Honda Vario 160 at Km8 of SPE after the Chan Sow Lin toll plaza.

This resulted in the motorcyclist being thrown onto the road and suffering severe injuries to the head, face and body, but the car driver did not stop and continued driving towards Wangsa Maju before stopping at Km18.1 of the SPE when his car caught fire, Zamzuri said in a statement today.

A video of the car on fire before the Wangsa Maju toll plaza went viral on various social media platforms.