IPOH: Police have arrested a container lorry driver allegedly involved in a 10-vehicle accident at KM307.9 of the North-South Expressway (northbound) near Gopeng.
Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the 36-year-old man, from Bukit Mertajam, Penang was arrested yesterday for further investigations.
"The accident was not caused by a faulty brake but the driver's failure to stop the vehicle in time upon approaching a narrow road during a traffic congestion," he said when contacted today.
Mohd Yusri said the man tested negative for alcohol and drugs and he was unscathed during the incident.
The case is being investigated under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) for reckless and dangerous driving.
It was reported last night that 10 vehicles including three trailers were involved in an accident which saw eight people injured.
A Perak Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said a distress call was picked up at 11.06pm and a team of firemen from Gopeng, assisted by a team from Tapah, were rushed to the scene.
"Upon arrival, we found that all victims managed to get out from their vehicles, with assistance from the public.
"There were 15 people involved in the accident and eight of them were injured.
"All the injured victims were given early treatment and were sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh by ambulance and EMRS for further treatment," he said, adding that the operation ended at 12.46am last night.