Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said a three-hour post-mortem at Seberang Jaya Hospital yesterday revealed that Moey Yun Peng died of drowning after the road traffic crash plunged his vehicle into the sea.
Nik Ros also said the 21-year-old who had been driving the Toyota Vios was arrested at the district police headquarters at about 2am today after he surrendered to the police.
“He was accompanied by family members to the police station.
“The police have recorded a statement from the man, who is employed at a hairdressing salon,” he said.
“We have reclassified the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving and causing death,” Nik Ros said, adding that the case was initially investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving.
“Police have so far recorded 15 statements over the case from various parties,” said Nik Ros, adding that the suspect will be released later on police bail.
Meanwhile, the family members of Moey has urged the public to stop sharing pictures of his body on social media.
“We hope the public can stop speculating on the accident and stop sharing the pictures.
“We want to remember him as the handsome and cheerful boy and cherish the nice moments we had with him,” a family member who declined to be named told reporters at the wake in Taman Baiduri.
They thanked the rescue team for their hard work and effort in searching and retrieving the car and Moey’s remains from the sea under Penang Bridge.
It is understood that more than 150 personnel from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Royal Malaysian Navy, Marine Police, firemen and civil defence personnel were involved in the three-day recovery operation.
The family also apologised to Penang Bridge users and thanked them for understanding and being patient despite the terrible jam after traffic was held up when the crane was deployed at KM4.0 to retrieve the SUV wreckage and Moey’s body.
The funeral will be held on Thursday (Jan 24) and the hearse will leave for the Berapit Chinese cemetery for cremation at 10am.
Earlier reports:
Jan 23, Body of SUV Driver Intact Despite 3-Day Retrieval Op
Jan 22, Penang Bridge Crash: SUV Retrieved from Sea, Driver’s Body Recovered
Jan 22, Ongoing Op to Retrieve SUV from Sea
Jan 21, Penang Bridge Crash: SUV Located Under Bridge