Minibus hits & kills woman, 75, in Yishun, driver, 54, gets 5 months' jail & 8-year driving ban

A 54-year-old man, Eng Kheng Long, was sentenced to five months' jail and disqualified from holding all classes of driving licences for eight years after he fatally knocked down a 75-year-old woman while driving a minibus, The Straits Times reported.

The accident took place on Jun. 20, 2023, in Yishun.

Attempted to make a discretionary right turn

According to court documents seen by Mothership, at around 8am that Tuesday, Eng was driving a minibus and exiting a car park at Block 256 Yishun Ring Road.

At around the same time, the deceased was crossing the road at a spot that was not a designated pedestrian crossing.

Eng attempted to make a discretionary right turn, but failed to stop at the exit line of the car park.

He continued turning without noticing the deceased, who was already standing in the middle of the road at that time.

His minibus subsequently collided with the deceased, causing her to fall backwards onto the road.

According to the prosecution, the accused "drove without due care and attention" and failed "to keep a proper lookout" and did not notice the victim while making the right turn.

The deceased was later conveyed to Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 3:54pm the same day.

According to court documents, there was no evidence of any possible mechanical issues on the minibus that could have caused or contributed to the incident.

Eng was arrested after the accident and later released.

Prosecution: Accused's culpability is "low"

The prosecution sought a sentence of five to six months' imprisonment, and an eight-year disqualification for all classes of vehicles.

They said that Eng’s culpability was low, noting that his offence arose primarily from his failure to stop at the exit line of the car park.

“There are no other aggravating factors,” the prosecutor said.

If convicted of driving without due care and attention resulting in death, offenders can face a maximum of three years' imprisonment, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

They may also be disqualified from holding all classes of licences for eight years.

Top photo via Shin Min Daily News