Grab driver, 75, drove off while passenger, also 75, was still boarding, fined & disqualified from driving for 18 months

A Grab driver who was distracted by an ambulance and drove off while his 75-year-old passenger was still boarding his vehicle was fined S$3,500 in court on Feb. 16.

The incident caused the elderly woman to fall and suffer a fractured knee.

The driver, Teo Shim Yian, 75, pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous hurt by a negligent act, CNA reported.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Was distracted by an ambulance

Citing court documents, CNA reported that the victim and her grandson had booked a ride on the Grab application at about 4:50pm on Aug. 12, 2024.

They were waiting at a car park at Block 27, Upper Changi Road, when Teo arrived to pick them up after accepting the booking.

Teo stopped his vehicle behind a stationary ambulance and noticed that his passengers were travelling with a wheelchair.

The victim's grandson opened the left rear door of the car to help his grandmother into the vehicle.

She had placed her right leg inside the car while her left leg remained on the road when Teo suddenly began to drive off.

Teo had reportedly noticed the ambulance in front moving away and, without checking whether his passengers had fully boarded, proceeded to move off as well.

The woman, who was only partially inside the vehicle, fell onto the road as a result.

Her grandson, who had not yet boarded, shouted at Teo to stop.

Teo braked and got out of the car. He then assisted the woman back into her wheelchair before helping her into the vehicle and driving both passengers to their destination.

Later that day, the victim sought medical treatment and was found to have sustained a closed undisplaced fracture of the left patella that was associated with a large knee hemarthrosis, according to charge sheets seen by Mothership.

She was hospitalised for two days and given 30 days of hospitalisation leave.

Had previously committed 17 traffic offences

According to CNA, the prosecutor sought a fine of between S$3,000 and S$5,000 for Teo, along with an 18-month driving disqualification.

She cited Teo's driving record as an aggravating factor, noting that he had committed 17 traffic offences between 2002 and 2024, largely involving speeding and red-light violations.

Those offences resulted in fines of up to S$400 and demerit points.

However, the prosecution also acknowledged that Teo had rendered assistance to the victim and pleaded guilty.

Teo did not make any submissions in mitigation and paid the fine in full.

For causing grievous hurt by a negligent act, he could have been jailed for a maximum of two years, fined up to S$5,000, or both.

Top photos from Grab/Facebook and Unsplash