TAWAU: Police are searching for the driver of a car who fled the scene after fatally striking a pedestrian along the Tawau-Kunak Road on Aug 21.
The fatal collision occurred at about 12.30 pm on Friday at Kilometre 45 of the stretch, when a vehicle heading towards Tawau town from Kunak reportedly ploughed into a man crossing the road.
The victim, a male believed to be in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel about an hour later, at 1.40 pm, according to OCPD ACP Rosdi Mat Jusoh.
Preliminary investigations suggest the pedestrian was attempting to cross from the left side of the carriageway to the right when he was struck by the oncoming car. The sheer force of the impact hurled the victim approximately 10 metres forward before he landed on the asphalt, Rosdi revealed in a statement on Saturday.
However, when policemen arrived at the location, the car driver was no longer at the scene. Authorities believe the motorist made off immediately after the crash. Both the suspect’s identity and the vehicle’s registration number remain unknown, though tracing efforts are actively underway.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries severe penalties for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
Police are appealing to any eyewitnesses or members of the public with relevant information to come forward. They are urged to contact the investigating officer, Inspector Nurwati Ismail, directly at 010 932 6155. – James Leong
The scene of Friday’s fatal accident in Tawau.
