Police confirm the driver in a fatal crash that killed a Unisza student has major depressive disorder and was receiving psychiatric treatment.
KUALA TERENGGANU: Police have confirmed the driver involved in a fatal crash that killed a Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza) student is suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).
Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor (pic) said the 32-year-old man had been receiving psychiatric treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital since January last year.
The suspect is in stable condition and still undergoing treatment for a broken right hand and multiple injuries from the crash.
“The suspect is confirmed to be suffering from MDD and has sought psychiatric treatment at HSNZ several times since January 2025,” Azli said in a statement.
He clarified the suspect is alive and not dead as had been claimed in viral social media posts.
Further investigation found that prior to the accident, the suspect had broken into a parked Honda City near the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium.
He stole several items, including RM200 in cash, before getting back into the Honda Jazz and speeding off.
This led to the crash on Jalan Kemajuan, which was captured on dashcam footage.
A check by the Road Transport Department confirmed the Honda Jazz was registered to the suspect’s brother and was not a stolen vehicle.
Azli urged the public not to spread unverified information out of respect for the victim’s family.
He called for all parties to allow police space to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation.
“The suspect will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 once he has completed his surgery and fully recovered,” he said.
The crash occurred at 1.55pm when the victim, Syakirah Hanan Mazli, 25, was hit by the Honda Jazz as she turned right after the traffic light turned green.
The second-semester postgraduate diploma in education student died on the spot.
