RANAU: A 13-year-old local boy died after being hit by a vehicle that lost control, near his home, here, on Sunday.
Ranau District Police Chief DSP Simiun Bin Lomudin said the incident happened at KM 55, Jalan Ranau-Telupid near Kg Balisok Ranau, at about 3.30pm.
He said an accident occurred involving a Perodua Axia that crashed on its own and hit a pedestrian on the shoulder of the main road in front of the victim’s house.
Initial investigation found that the vehicle was driven from Pekan Ranau towards Telupid.
“The driver is believed to have fallen asleep (microsleep) causing his vehicle to stray from the path and enter the right shoulder of the road (opposite path) and subsequently hit a pedestrian who happened to be on the shoulder of the road (about 1.5 metres from the main road).
“As a result of the collision, the victim was thrown approximately 15 metres from the crash site.
“The victim suffered serious head injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene, while the driver and four passengers of the Perodua Axia suffered minor injuries and were treated as outpatients at Paginatan Ranau Health Clinic,” he said.
Simiun said police officers from the Investigation and Traffic Enforcement Department of IPD Ranau then conducted an investigation at the scene.
He said, the victim, a 13-year-old local boy, was taken to the Forensic Department of Ranau Hospital for an autopsy to find out the true cause of death.
“The car driver is not suspected of being drunk, but a blood sample will be taken and sent to the Department of Chemistry Malaysia Sabah Branch for analysis of Alcohol and Drugs in the blood.
“The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,” he said.
He urged witnesses who saw the accident to contact the Ranau IPD Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division at 088-875222 extension 280 to assist in the investigation.
“People are advised to always be careful when driving and obey the traffic rules when on the road, avoid driving when the body is tired.
“Make sure you get enough rest and together we take care of safety on the road,” Simiun said.
