An SBS Transit driver was sentenced on Monday (Jun 22) to two months’ jail for causing the death of a pedestrian by a negligent act near Punggol Bus Interchange last month.
Malaysian national Muhammad Firdaus Bin Norahim, 30, was also disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for five years from the date of his release from prison.
On May 15 at about 6.45am, Firdaus was driving an off-service bus out of Punggol Bus Interchange towards the T-junction along Punggol Place. As he made a right turn, the victim, Ms Lucinda Wong Hang Yee, 30, was crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing.
Firdaus had taken a quick glance to check for pedestrians crossing in his path but had failed to give way to Ms Wong, who had the right of way as the pedestrian traffic light was green in her favour.
He only noticed her when she was at the front-centre portion of his bus. As he could not brake in time, the bus collided into the victim and she fell to the ground. Ms Wong was found motionless underneath the middle of the bus’ undercarriage. However, the wheels of the bus were not found to have run over her. She was brought unconscious to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital where she later died of her injuries.
The autopsy report showed Ms Wong suffered cerebral contusions, haemorrhage to the head, liver rupture and multiple fractures to the skull, pelvis and ribs. Her injuries were consistent with those sustained in a road traffic accident, the report said.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Koh Huimin, said that Firdaus had faced a previous charge of causing death by a rash act, which carried a heavier penalty of up to five years’ jail. The charge was reduced to causing death by negligence due to Firdaus’ early admission of guilt.
The prosecution had asked for a two-month custodial sentence in view of previous sentences for similar cases that had sentences ranging from four weeks to six weeks in jail. Aggravating factors such as the pedestrian’s right of way, high pedestrian traffic and the grave impact of an accident caused by a heavy vehicle were taken into consideration.
In mitigation, Firdaus admitted he did not notice the deceased but alleged that she was not paying attention to the road by looking at her mobile phone. District Judge Luke Tan refuted this, saying there was no evidence stating she was looking at her phone, and that the onus was still on the driver to give way to the pedestrian.
For causing death by negligence, Firdaus could have been sentenced to a maximum of two years’ jail, a fine or both.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
