{
  "id": 3517982,
  "title": "Ex-trailer driver begins 4-year jail term for drunk driving",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/ex-trailer-driver-begins-4-year-jail-term-for-drunk-driving",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T12:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/26/ex-trailer-driver-begins-4-year-jail-term-for-driving-under-the-influence-of-alcohol"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Y Vethri Vel, a former trailer driver, commenced a four-year prison sentence today following the Court of Appeal's approval of the prosecution's final appeal to reinstate the magistrates' court conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to six others. The Court of Appeal also overturned a High Court decision that had substituted the original charges with different offences and imposed an eight-year jail term. The bench, led by Justice Azman Abdullah, agreed with the magistrate's findings and allowed the prosecution's appeal, considering the parties' written submissions. Vethri, who was on bail during the appeal, began serving his sentence immediately, was fined RM20,000, and had his driving license suspended for five years.",
  "summary": "Court reinstates Y Vethri Vel’s conviction for drink-driving that killed four and injured another in 2020.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}