POLICE have found no elements of sabotage or malicious intent after a vehicle crashed into St Ignatius Church’s compound in Petaling Jaya, causing damage to some of the church’s property before hitting a tree on Friday night.

However, the Petaling Jaya deputy police chief Hussin Sollehuddin Zolkifly said the cause of the incident was still under investigation.

Hussin said they were still in the process of identifying and recording statements from independent witnesses.

“We wish to remind the public not to speculate and cause unnecessary concern. Additionally, we urge all road users to always adhere to traffic laws to prevent any accidents,” he said in a statement today.

In a statement, parish priest Lawrence Ng said the incident happened about 11.45pm on Friday.

The vehicle drove through the gates and hit tables and chairs that were in the covered car park area before ramming into a tree, he said in a statement.

He said the driver, who appeared unhurt, was brought to the hospital for a check-up.

Ng said he has filed a police report and was assured that an investigation would be carried out.

Following the report, Hussin was quoted as saying that an investigation paper had been opened under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.

Hussin said the driver, a male in his 30s, claimed that he was travelling from Subang Jaya to Kelana Jaya and had taken a wrong turn, lost control, and crashed into the church compound.

He said the driver sustained spinal injuries and was initially sent to the Kelana Jaya Medical Centre before being transferred to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre for further treatment.

Hussin said blood and urine samples have been collected and will be sent to the chemistry department for analysis.

The driver has since been discharged and police have recorded his statement. – June 3, 2024.