Kuching: A teenage boy pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court here today to a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of a cyclist on May 1. The accused, Elijah Jeremiah Yeo Shi Xian, 19, made the plea before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the charge accused Elijah of driving dangerously and colliding with a cyclist, resulting in the cyclist's death, at Jalan Stutong at 5.30 am on May 1. The charge falls under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, carrying penalties of imprisonment between five to ten years and a maximum fine of RM50,000.

A conviction would also result in disqualification from holding a driving licence for a minimum of five years, with the cancellation of the licence if the individual holds a probationary driving licence. The court set the bail at RM20,000 with two sureties and scheduled the case management for June 5.

The prosecution in this case was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fillanny Siji, with the accused being represented by lawyer Daniel Ling. On May 1, Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu reported that a male cyclist had died after being hit by a vehicle in an early morning accident on Jalan Stutong. The police received the accident report at 5.43 am, indicating that the 56-year-old victim suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.