Driver, 21, in alleged Sims Avenue hit-and-run charged with driving someone else's car without licence

SINGAPORE: A 21-year-old man who was arrested over an alleged hit-and-run incident that flung two pedestrians into the air along Sims Avenue was charged in court on Monday (Mar 25).

The charges allege that Zachary Chin Jia Le was driving someone else's car without consent and when he did not have a licence.

The charge sheets also state that he has past convictions in June 2022 for driving without a valid licence and driving without due care and attention.

Chin was handed a total of seven charges over the collision that occurred around 11.40pm on Saturday along Sims Avenue, towards Sims Avenue East.

These include failing to keep a proper lookout while driving, driving a car without a licence or insurance, failing to stop after a traffic accident and driving off with another person's car.

Chin collided with two pedestrians who were crossing the road, flinging them into the air and causing them to suffer grievous hurt, according to charge sheets, a police statement and footage online.

The 51-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were taken to hospital and were warded for treatment, while Chin allegedly fled.

The traffic police identified him through police cameras and video footage from a witness and arrested him on Sunday.

Chin did not make any indication of how he would plead in court on Monday.

The case was adjourned to April for him to engage counsel and for the prosecution to complete investigations.

Of the penalties he faces among the mix of traffic offences, the longest potentially are for driving without a valid licence.

He can be jailed up to four years, fined up to S$10,000, or both for this offence as a repeat offender.