KOTA KINABALU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A man on his way to breakfast was hit by a car which caused his head to be severed in an accident that was witnessed by his wife.

Her piercing screams broke the serenity of the morning at 6.14am yesterday.

The gruesome death of Lee Thien Yu, 62, happened when the couple apparently wanted to cross the road near SM Shan Tao in Likas, Malaysia.

He was hit by an oncoming sports utility vehicle (SUV) and died on the spot.

The vehicle driven by a 37-year-old man had crashed into Lee with the tyres running over his neck.

Police have recorded statements from the driver.

Lee's wife, who was too distraught to give much details, said they were going out for breakfast then.

"He told me to be careful when crossing the road."

"He asked me to go first as he had trouble walking and would follow me," she said, crying and trembling.

There was an overhead bridge about 100m away but it is believed that the couple were unable to use it due to Lee's difficulty in walking.

Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm M. Chandra advised moto­rists to slow down while driving near schools or housing areas.