GEORGE TOWN: Police say the driver of the Toyota Vios involved in the accident which saw an SUV plunge off the Penang Bridge yesterday tested positive for ganja.
Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said blood samples had been sent to the chemistry department to ascertain the content of alcohol or drugs, with the results expected soon.
He told reporters here that the 21-year-old hairstylist is receiving treatment for his injuries at a private hospital in Bayan Baru.
He said the man was rushed to the Seberang Jaya Hospital immediately after the accident and discharged yesterday evening. However, he passed out at home, prompting his family to send him to the private hospital for further checks.
Nik Ros Azhan added that the driver of the Toyota Vios and the driver of the SUV had known each other since primary school.
“Both of them, along with five other male friends, attended a birthday party at an entertainment centre in Lebuh Chulia here earlier, and all of them left the centre at 2.30am.
“Their five friends live on the island, while the hairstylist lives in Butterworth,” he said.
Police are also investigating an allegation that the two drivers had been racing when the accident took place.
The SUV, which was heading to Perai, was reported to have been involved in an accident at KM4 of the Penang Bridge before plunging into the sea at 2.54am yesterday.
Authorities are still trying to find the SUV and its driver, 20-year-old student Moey Yun Peng.