“Mom, it hurts so much”: Daughter’s last call before fatal Penang crash

In her final moments, 21-year-old Lee Zi Rou called her mother and cried in pain after a cargo container fell on her car at a traffic light in Penang’s Jalan Bukit Tengah.

“Mom, it hurts so bad!” Ms Lee said during the conversation, which ended in silence.

The tragedy unfolded on the morning of November 13, 2024. Her mother, Ms Lim, 42, said her daughter called at 9.24am but passed away a few minutes later at 9.30am.

“I felt like she was dying,” Ms Lim said, recalling the heartbreaking moment at her daughter’s funeral.

The fatal accident allegedly occurred when a truck driver lost steering control while making a sudden turn.

The container overturned, Ms. Lee’s car was crushed, and a 25-year-old man named Tan Chou Theng was injured in a five-vehicle collision. Mr. Tan was rescued by passersby and taken to hospital.

Ms Lim said she told her daughters to call only in emergencies. When Ms. Lee phoned, she immediately feared the worst.

Desperately trying to reach her again after the call was disconnected, Ms Lim assigned her other daughter to take Ms Lee’s usual route to work.

Eventually, an eyewitness answered Ms Lee’s phone call and informed Ms Lim of the location of the accident. “It was impossible for him to survive,” Ms Lim said through tears. “The container was too heavy.”

The incident sparked an investigation for careless driving under Section 41(1) of the Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987.

The 51-year-old truck driver was sentenced to 4 days in prison. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison, a RM50,000 fine and a driving ban of up to 20 years.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke described the crash as “tragic and distressing” and promised a thorough investigation.

He stated that the license of the trailer company will be canceled if it is determined that it does not comply with the safety rules.

The Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute was tasked with determining whether technical issues or negligence in the safety of the container contributed to the accident.

Mr Loke also criticized the driver for an insensitive gesture when he was seen flashing the peace sign to the media as he appeared in court.

“This shows a lack of sympathy for the bereaved family,” Mr Loke said.

The incident sparked public outrage, with netizens demanding stricter enforcement of road safety laws.

Many paid tribute to Ms Lee, a young woman whose life was cut tragically short, while others called for justice and accountability.

Seberang Perai Tengah District Police Chief Deputy Commissioner Helmi Aris said that the urine tests performed on the driver gave negative results for alcohol.

As Ms Lee’s family grieved her untimely death, Ms Lim expressed her devastation, saying, “I begged people on the road to help save her, but it was too late.”

The accident highlights the urgent need for stringent safety measures, especially for heavy vehicles, in Malaysia to prevent further tragedies on the roads.