The lorry driver involved in a high-profile altercation with a cyclist in Pasir Ris has been found guilty for causing hurt to the cyclist.

The lorry driver, 58-year-old Teo Seng Tiong, was found guilty in court on Dec. 17, 2019.

What happened in 2018

About one year ago, on Dec. 22, 2018, Teo was driving along Pasir Ris Drive 3 towards New Loyang Link, when he was involved in a road incident with 35-year-old British national Eric Cheung Hoyu.

Video footage, widely circulated online, showed Cheung cycling in front of the lorry and allegedly obstructing his path.

Upon moving to the left side of the road, Cheung struck the lorry's side mirror, causing it to fall off.

The lorry was then seen swerving towards the cyclist, causing Cheung to fall off his bicycle and onto the grass verge.

Online chatter soon centred on whether the lorry driver's actions were intentional or whether the cyclist was at fault.

Judge rejected argument driver swerved to avoid taxi

According to CNA, Teo contested that he had swerved to the left in order to avoid a collision with the taxi on the right.

Additionally, Teo's lawyer, Chia Boon Teck, argued during the trial that his client had swerved into the cyclist as he heard a honk from his right, and believed that the warning sound had come from the taxi.

Teo's lawyer continued that there was "never any physical contact between the lorry and the bicycle", as Cheung had reportedly jumped off his bicycle and onto the grass.

However, District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt rejected this argument, saying "there is simply no basis to support his defence".

The judge stated he had considered all evidence, and found that Teo had "deliberately swerved his lorry into the path of the cyclist".

Teo was found guilty of causing hurt to the cyclist by a rash act, and of failing to make a police report within a day of the accident.

The judge continued that the prosecution had proven both charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Penalties

If found guilty of causing hurt by a rash act, Teo could face up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of S$5,000.

For failing to make a police report within 24 hours of traffic accident, Teo could face a maximum jail term of three months and a fine of up to S$1,000.

Teo could also be banned from driving.

In April 2019, Cheung was fined S$2,800 for mischief and for not cycling in an orderly and careful manner according to traffic regulations.

The judge adjourned mitigation and sentencing to next year.

Driver's livelihood depended on lorry

Following the altercation, Teo's lorry was impounded for further investigation in March 2019.

Teo told The Straits Times then that he depended on the vehicle for his livelihood, and "had not had any income" since his lorry was impounded, as he required it to deliver goods.

Furthermore, he still needed to pay the installment loan for it.

A petition was even started to appeal to the Traffic Police to return Teo's lorry.

Teo shared that in the meantime, he was earning a few hundred dollars per month from people visiting his fish farm in Pulau Ubin.

Top photo from Teo Seng Tiong FB & Roads.sg FB