GEORGE TOWN, Oct 23 — The driver suspected of being involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed two people on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the Penang Bridge interchange yesterday morning has been arrested.

Timur Laut police chief ACP Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the 23-year-old man, who was driving a sport utility vehicle (SUV), was arrested at 1 pm after turning himself in at the Timur Laut District Police Headquarters (IPD) here.

"The man is from Bukit Jambul. A urine screening test conducted on the suspect found no drugs,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Abdul Rozak said police would apply for a remand order today to facilitate further investigations.

The victims, a 22-year-old man and his 20-year-old female pillion rider, were travelling from central George Town towards the Penang Bridge at about 4 am when the accident occurred.

Upon reaching the fork leading to the Penang Bridge and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), their motorcycle was believed to have been hit from behind by a vehicle, killing both at the scene.

Abdul Rozak said post-mortem examinations found that the male motorcyclist died from severe head and neck injuries, while the woman died from severe head injuries.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. — Bernama