KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 6 (Bernama) — Police have confirmed that the driver of a Honda Jazz involved in yesterday’s fatal crash with a Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) student’s car at a traffic-light junction on Jalan Kemajuan is suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).
Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the 32-year-old man had been receiving psychiatric treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) since January last year.
He added that the suspect, now in stable condition, was still undergoing treatment at the hospital for a broken right hand and multiple injuries from the crash.
“The suspect (the driver of the Honda Jazz) is confirmed to be suffering from MDD and has sought psychiatric treatment at HSNZ several times since January 2025.
“He’s alive, not dead as has been going viral on social media. He’s still being treated at HSNZ and will need surgery for a serious hand injury,” he said in a statement today.
Azli said further investigation found that, prior to the accident, the suspect had broken into a Honda City parked near the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium here at around 1.45 pm, stealing several items, including RM200 in cash.
He said the suspect then got back into the Honda Jazz with the stolen items and cash and sped off, resulting in the crash on Jalan Kemajuan, as captured on dashcam.
“A check by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) found that the Honda Jazz driven by the suspect belonged to his brother and was not a stolen vehicle as claimed and circulated on social media,” he said.
Azli therefore urged the public not to spread unverified information, out of respect for the victim’s family.
He also called on all parties to give the police space to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure justice is served.
“The suspect will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 once he has completed his surgery and fully recovered,” he said.
In the incident at 1.55pm, the victim, Syakirah Hanan Mazli, 25, who was travelling from UniSZA towards Bukit Kecil, was hit by a Honda Jazz coming from the opposite direction as she turned right after the traffic light turned green.
The second-semester postgraduate diploma in education student died on the spot.
–BERNAMA