SUNGAI PETANI: A pharmacist from a private hospital was killed, while her friend sustained severe injuries when the car they were traveling in collided with a lorry in Jalan Sidam near here last night.
Siti Aisyah Idris, 23, who was behind the wheel, died on the spot while her friend, also 23, was rushed to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital here for treatment.
Kuala Muda district police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said the district traffic police were notified at 9.30pm of an accident involving a Toyota Yaris and lorry.
He said preliminary investigation showed the victim and her friend were heading to Kulim from Sungai Petani while the lorry was traveling to Sungai Petani from Kulim.
"It is believed that the lorry was trying to avoid a motorcycle before the vehicle skidded into the opposite lane and collided with the car," Wan Azharuddin said in a statement.
He added that the lorry driver, 31, was arrested after his urine test returned positive for drugs such as methamphetamine, methamphetamine and morphine.
"He (the lorry driver) is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.
The accident, said Wan Azharuddin, is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
"The friend of the victim, who was severely injured during the accident, is currently reported to be in stable condition," he said.