IPOH: A group of motorcyclists involved in a deadly crash involving 12 motorcycles and three cars on Jalan Jelapang-Ampang was believed to have been travelling at high speed before some riders lost control and struck a Toyota Vios, according to preliminary police findings.
Three male motorcyclists, aged 19 to 20, were killed in the early-morning crash on Saturday, while nine others were injured.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said investigators also believed some of the riders had attempted to move through gaps between vehicles before the first collision.
After several motorcycles struck the car, riders travelling behind them were unable to avoid the vehicles already involved, setting off a chain collision.
Police are still reconstructing the sequence of events and have not reached a final conclusion on the precise cause of the crash or the actions of each rider beforehand.
As of Monday, investigators had recorded statements from 15 people as part of an inquiry under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Police are also working to establish the registered ownership of the vehicles involved.
The crash occurred at about 3.35am on September 19 as the vehicles were travelling from Meru towards Tambun.
In the initial police account of the accident, Ipoh district police chief ACP Muhammad Najib Hamzah said two riders, aged 19 and 20, died at the scene from serious injuries.
A third rider, aged 19, died while receiving treatment at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. Nine other motorcyclists, aged 19 to 25, were injured and taken to the same hospital.
One of them, aged 19, remains in the intensive care unit, and his statement has yet to be recorded.
None of the three car drivers was injured.
No confirmation of illegal racing
Although police have identified Jalan Jelapang-Ampang as a known gathering point for illegal street racing and road hooligan activity, authorities have not established that the riders involved in Saturday's crash were racing at the time.
Perak deputy police chief DCP Mohammad Azlin Sadari said shortly after the accident that the motorcyclists were a group of friends travelling together from the Meru Jaya area.
Initial inquiries also indicated that the motorcycles had been travelling relatively close together before the chain collision. Investigators said they would also consider road lighting conditions as they worked to determine how the crash unfolded.
Mohd Alwi said police were aware that the road was frequently used for motorcycle gatherings in the early hours and that enforcement operations were regularly carried out in the area.
He said riders had sometimes returned to gather after police operations ended at around 3am. That broader pattern of activity in the area, however, does not by itself establish that the group involved in Saturday's collision had been taking part in an illegal race.
The Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division at the Ipoh district police headquarters conducted 64 operations targeting motorcycle offences and road hooligan activity between January and September 19.
During that period, 11 arrests were made under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act, while 41 vehicles were seized under Section 64(1).
Families eligible for Perkeso benefits
In a related development on Monday, Perkeso said the families of two 19-year-old victims, Muhammad Izdihar Rafiq Sarajil Korin and Muhamad Faiz Danial Jumri, were eligible for benefits under its Lindung 24 Jam non-occupational accident scheme.
The two remained covered even though the accident occurred outside working hours because they were contributors under the scheme. Muhammad Izdihar had been contributing since January, and Muhamad Faiz since August 2025.
Muhammad Izdihar's dependants are entitled to a monthly dependants' benefit of RM945 and Muhamad Faiz's to RM891, in addition to a RM3,000 funeral management benefit for each victim. Perkeso said the total benefits for both families would exceed RM275,000 over 15 years.
The police investigation is continuing.
← Kembali ke halaman utama