S'porean driver, 43, who drove into road barrier & injured school staff, found guilty of rash act

A private-hire vehicle driver, frustrated at being unable to pick up passengers at a school and having to wait for a school bus to depart first, drove his car into a barrier and injured a staff who was standing behind it.

The defendant, Darryl K. Tan Swee Heng, 43, was charged with causing hurt by performing a rash act that endangered the personal safety of others.

He pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, but was ultimately found guilty on Mar. 18.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Apr. 27.

According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on Mar. 24, 2023, at around 4pm at Dulwich College along Bukit Batok West Avenue 8.

Tan drove his car forward in a rash manner, endangering others and causing a victim to suffer pain in his right shin.

Ride cancelled

The court heard that Tan was working as a private-hire vehicle driver at the time, while the victim was a school employee, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Tan had arrived at the school to pick up passengers, but was unable to leave immediately as staff had set up road barriers to give priority to a departing school bus.

After waiting for some time, Tan began sounding his horn.

Although the victim and his colleagues explained the situation to him, he grew increasingly impatient.

During the wait, Tan realised that his passenger was travelling with a child.

As no child seat was available, he cancelled the ride.

Eager to move on to his next job, Tan honked again.

Drove into barrier

Sensing that Tan might attempt to drive through, the victim adjusted the road barrier and positioned himself behind it.

Tan then released his brakes and edged his car forward toward the barrier, signalling his intention to leave.

He subsequently drove into the barrier, causing it to strike the victim.

The victim also felt the car’s bumper press against his calf.

A colleague shouted at Tan to stop, while the victim experienced pain in his right leg.

Once the road was clear, staff instructed Tan to leave the premises.

The victim’s supervisor recorded Tan’s licence plate number and advised the victim to seek medical attention.

The victim was later given two days of medical leave.

Top photo from Shin Min Daily News