21-year-old driver suspected of 'mushroom vape' use crashes into pedestrian and Kuantan shopfront
A 21-year-old man was involved in a crash in Kuantan on 22 May after allegedly losing control of a Toyota Hilux and hitting a pedestrian and a shopfront. Police said the case involves suspected drug-related impairment and is under investigation.
MALAYSIA: A 21-year-old driver was involved in a road crash in Kuantan, Pahang, on 22 May after allegedly losing control of a Toyota Hilux and colliding with a pedestrian and a shopfront along Jalan Besar.
According to Utusan Malaysia, the incident occurred at about 11.30 am while the vehicle was travelling from Jalan Teluk Sisek towards the city centre.
The collision left a 68-year-old pedestrian injured and prompted a police investigation into suspected drug-related impairment and reckless driving.
Pedestrian Injuries and Medical Response
The 68-year-old man sustained minor injuries to his left knee and right hand following the impact.
According to the reports, he was taken to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) for medical treatment shortly after the incident.
Authorities did not indicate that the injuries were life-threatening.
Police Account of the Crash
Kuantan district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ashari Abu Samah was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying the vehicle veered off the road before striking the pedestrian and crashing into a nearby business premises.
He said the driver was believed to have lost control of the vehicle outside a hardware store along Jalan Besar.
Police said the circumstances of the crash are consistent with possible impairment at the time of driving.
Drugs Investigation and Vehicle Search
Following the incident, police reportedly conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered a plastic bottle containing synthetic MDMA.
According to Malay Mail, officers described the substance as part of a broader narcotics investigation linked to the driver.
The suspect underwent a urine screening test, which returned a negative result.
Despite this, he was handed over to the Kuantan district police headquarters’ Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division for further investigation under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Suspected Substance Use
Police said the driver was believed to have been under the influence of a substance referred to as “mushroom vape” at the time of the crash.
As described in the reports, the term is used to refer to vape products that may contain psychoactive mushroom-derived compounds or synthetic hallucinogens intended to produce psychedelic effects.
Authorities noted that such substances may not be detectable through standard urine screening tests.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
The case is also being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving, according to Utusan Malaysia.
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash and the substances involved at the time of the incident.
