Driver arrested after Maldivian student dies in Malaysia crash

Malaysian police have arrested the driver of a ride-hailing car involved in an accident that killed a Maldivian student, with a drug screening showing the driver tested positive for methamphetamine.

The student who died in the accident was Aamina Emily Nazim, 21, from Addu City. Members of Emily’s family travelled to Malaysia on Monday in connection with the case.

Malaysian newspaper Oriental Daily reported that the 37-year-old Malaysian man was driving a car booked through Grab when the accident occurred. A court has remanded him for four days to assist with the investigation.

According to the report, the accident occurred at about 8.48pm on Sunday on the New Pantai Expressway near the PJS toll plaza, in the direction of Puchong.

Police said a Proton S70 driven by a 34-year-old Malaysian man was travelling towards an RFID lane when a Perodua Ativa driven by the ride-hailing driver struck the rear right side of the vehicle. The impact caused the Ativa to skid and overturn on the road.

Two Maldivian students were passengers in the Ativa. Both were students at a private higher education institution in the Klang Valley, according to Malaysian police.

Emily was trapped inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead by emergency personnel who arrived at the scene. Her body was taken to the forensic department at Serdang Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The other Maldivian student sustained minor injuries.

Police conducted urine tests on both drivers following the accident. The ride-hailing driver tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the report.

The Shah Alam Magistrates’ Court subsequently granted police a four-day remand order for the driver.

Malaysian police are investigating the accident under Section 44(1)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which covers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs resulting in injury to another person.