Jumbo Group founding member, 88, fined S$14,000 & gets 8-year driving ban for accident that killed friend, 72

A founding member of Jumbo Group, Ng Siak Hai, was driving when he got into an accident at Nassim Road that killed a friend sitting in his car.

Ng lost control of the car while on the way to a food tasting at Orchard, causing it to hit a tree and overturn.

Ng's friend, 72-year-old Ng Thit Hung, was sitting in the front passenger's seat at the time. He died of his injuries in hospital.

Ng was sentenced to a S$14,000 fine and had his driving licence suspended for eight years.

Gave good friends a lift to food tasting

The court heard that on Nov. 1, 2022, Ng was driving the victim and another friend, Tan Teck Soon, in his car.

The trio were good friends of around twenty years and were part of Teochew association Teo Ann Huay Kuan. Ng was the chairman.

At around 6:30pm, Ng drove off from the association's headquarters with the victim in the front passenger seat, while Tan sat in the back.

They were headed towards Orchard Hotel for a food tasting for their association's 58th anniversary.

Both Ng and the victim fastened their seat belts.

Felt light-headed, later lost control of car while turning

While driving along the Central Expressway (CTE), Ng started to feel light-headed so he exited onto Bukit Timah Road where he could drive more slowly.

Ng then proceeded along Nassim Road, but lost control of the car while navigating a left bend near a lamppost.

The car veered to the left before colliding with a tree, and the impact caused it to overturn on its right side.

Ng and his passengers were trapped in the car, which was severely damaged with the front left portion of the car crumpled in.

Eventually, police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers extricated them by cutting off the car roof.

Ng and Tan were found to be conscious, but the victim had no pulse.

They were brought to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

However, the victim could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at 9:03pm.

Was driving in clear weather conditions on dry road

An autopsy found that the cause of death was "ischaemic heart disease with abdominal injury" and that the deceased had sustained injuries consistent with those from a road traffic accident.

Tan suffered bruises and a laceration on his head, along with knee abrasions, and myocardial injury (injury to the heart muscles). He was given 20 days of hospitalisation leave.

Ng also suffered bruising to his chest and was warded for four days.

He was known to have diabetes, along with other medical conditions, but doctors could not determine if he had low blood sugar at the time of the accident.

Due to the damage to the car, a physical inspection was unable to determine any possible mechanical failure that contributed to the accident.

Court documents indicated that Ng was driving during clear weather conditions, on a dry road surface in light traffic.

Got fine instead of jail term due to health problems

Ng was charged with two counts of driving without due care and attention that resulted in death and grievous hurt.

He pleaded guilty to both charges on Sep. 27, according to Shin Min Daily News (Shin Min).

The prosecution noted that Ng's offence warranted a jail sentence, but given his health problems, asked for the judge to mete out the maximum fine of S$15,000 instead.

Ng's lawyer also asked for a more lenient sentence for Ng as he has diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease which requires him to go for dialysis three times a week.

The lawyer pointed out that after learning of the victim's death, Ng paid his respects to the victim's family and also participated in the mourning rites at the funeral parlour.

As a consultant of Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, Ng's monthly income is S$8,000 and is unable to pay the maximum fine, the lawyer added.

As such, Ng's defence lawyer asked for a fine of S$11,000.

The judge eventually sentenced Ng to a S$14,000 fine and a suspension of his driving licence for 8 years.

Top image from Shin Min Daily News