Members of the public and police attend to the motorist, killed during the crash at Jalan Taman Jati in Ipoh. - Pic courtesy of police
Members of the public and police attend to the motorist, killed during the crash at Jalan Taman Jati in Ipoh. - Pic courtesy of police

IPOH: Police have arrested a senior police officer who allegedly rammed into a 17-year-old student with his car on Jalan Taman Jati here, resulting in his death.

District police chief Assistant Superintendent Yahaya Hassan said that police were informed of the incident at 12.40pm involving a car and a motorcycle.

Yahaya said the student who is also a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidate was riding a Yamaha motorcycle while the Perodua Ativa car was driven by the policeman.

"The student was killed on the spot while the policeman escaped unharmed," he said in a statement tonight.

He added that a post-mortem conducted on the student at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here found that the cause of his death was chest and abdomen injuries due to a road traffic crash.

"Following the incident, police have arrested the senior police officer from Kedah Contingent Police Headquarters and he will be remanded tomorrow for further investigation," he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.

Yahaya added that police also carried out investigations from various angles including criminal leading to the offence of murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

"Police will not protect anyone including their officers if they have strong evidence. Those who witnessed the incident are urged to contact Investigation Officer, Inspector Jong Pit Chiao at 016-8849 163," he added.

In the 12.30pm incident, the victim, Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie was on his way home in Chemor from his school, SMK Jati in Meru, here.

It is understood that before the incident, there was an altercation involving the car driver and the victim who was making noise on his motorcycle.

The 44-year-old driver chased the victim for almost a kilometre before hitting him from behind. Due to the impact, the victim fell and was dragged almost five metres.

It is learnt that the driver of the Perodua Ativa involved turned back to the location to see the condition of the victim, but immediately drove away when he realised the heavy presence of the public.

The victim, who was still fully dressed in school sports uniform, was confirmed dead at the scene.