{
  "id": 3520410,
  "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-3520410",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T12:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "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, began serving a four-year jail sentence today after the Court of Appeal permitted the prosecution to reinstate the magistrates court's conviction for drunk driving. The incident, which occurred on February 13, 2020, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to six others. Initially, Vethri was charged with two offenses under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, both involving driving under the influence of alcohol. The first charge detailed the deaths of Faiz Bakhari, his wife, their infant son, and Nik Ifeka, while the second charge accused him of causing injuries to Fariz Iskandar Faiz, the couple's surviving son. The incident took place near Sungai Siput, Perak, around 10.20pm. Initially sentenced to eight years in prison, the verdict was reduced to four years each on both charges, to be served concurrently. The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's decision that substituted the original charges, deeming it an error. Vethri, who was on bail pending the appeal, will now begin his sentence immediately and has been fined RM20,000, which he has already paid. Additionally, he has been banned from driving 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."
}