In her final moments, 21-year-old Lee Zi Rou called her mother, crying out in pain after a cargo container fell on her car at a traffic light in Penang’s Jalan Bukit Tengah.

“Mommy, it hurts so bad!” Ms. Lee said during the call, which ended in silence.

The tragedy unfolded on the morning of November 13, 2024. Her mother, Ms Lim, 42, said her daughter called at 9.24am but died just minutes later at 9.30am.

“I felt like she died,” Ms Lim said at her daughter’s wake, recalling the heartbreaking moment.

The fatal accident occurred when a trailer driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle while making a sharp turn.

The container overturned, crushing Ms Lee’s car and injuring a 25-year-old man, identified as Tan Chou Theng, in a five-vehicle collision. Mr Tan was rescued by passersby and rushed to hospital.

Ms Lim said she told her daughters to call only in an emergency. When Mrs. Lee called, she immediately feared the worst.

Desperately trying to contact her again after the call stopped, Ms Lim enlisted her other daughter to drive Ms Lee’s usual route to work.

A bystander eventually answered Ms Lee’s phone, informing Ms Lim of the location of the accident. “It was impossible for her to survive,” a tearful Ms Lim recounted. “The container was too heavy.”

The incident triggered an investigation under Section 41(1) of the Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving.

The 51-year-old trailer driver was remanded in custody for four days. If he is found guilty, he risks up to 10 years in prison, a fine of 50,000 lei and disqualification from driving for up to 20 years.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke condemned the crash as “tragic and regrettable”, promising a full investigation.

He said the trailer company’s license would be suspended if it failed to comply with safety regulations.

The Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute was tasked with determining whether technical problems or negligence in securing the container contributed to the accident.

Loke also slammed the driver for an insensitive gesture during his court appearance, where he was seen making a peace sign to the media.

“This shows a lack of sympathy for the grieving family,” Mr Loke said.

The incident sparked public outrage, with netizens calling for stricter enforcement of road safety laws.

Many paid tribute to Ms Lee, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short, while others called for justice and accountability.

Urine tests on the driver came back negative for alcohol, according to Deputy Commissioner Helmi Aris, Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief.

As Ms Lee’s family mourned her untimely death, Ms Lim expressed her devastation, saying: “We begged passers-by to help save her, but it was too late.”

The accident highlights the urgent need for strict safety measures in Malaysia, especially for heavy vehicles, to prevent further road tragedies.