Jail, driving ban for lorry driver who drove into pedestrian in car park

SINGAPORE: While behind the wheel of his company lorry in a car park, Teo Teck Chye failed to keep a proper lookout and hit a property agent.

The victim sustained multiple fractures from the incident and still occasionally suffers from serious headaches.

On Tuesday (Mar 12), Teo was sentenced to five days’ jail and a two-year disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles. He pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt to the victim by a negligent act.

The court heard that Teo, now 61, was driving in the car park of Richfield Industrial Centre in Eunos on Nov 28, 2022.

When he was approaching a right turn, the victim – who was walking across the car park – was using his mobile phone and not looking at the road.

The victim entered Teo’s line of vision and walked across the front of the lorry for a few seconds, but Teo failed to notice him and continued driving without slowing down. He then drove into the victim.

The lorry’s front windscreen hit the victim’s head, causing him to fall backwards and hit the back of his head against the ground.

Teo braked and alighted from the lorry to help the victim, who had fallen unconscious. Teo then called for an ambulance.

When the victim arrived at Changi General Hospital, he was found to have suffered skull and nasal fractures, along with bleeding under his skull.

He received medical treatment and was discharged two days later. He was also given about a month of hospitalisation leave.

During his last consultation at the hospital in September 2023, he told the doctor that he still suffered from serious headaches from time to time. He underwent MRI scans but no further issues were found.

He was advised to monitor his condition and consult the doctor again should the headaches become unmanageable.

NOT TEO'S FIRST DRIVING OFFENCE

The prosecution sought the sentence imposed, noting that Teo had previously committed several compounded speeding offences – the most recent being 2021. He was also issued warnings for speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt.

Teo’s lawyer, Mr Lum Guo Rong, told the court in mitigation that his client was “very sorry” for the accident.

Teo tried to visit the victim at the hospital to apologise in person before learning he had been discharged. He then apologised over a phone call.

Mr Lum, who was assigned to represent Teo through the Public Defender’s Office, added that Teo has learnt his lesson and will be deeply affected in terms of his livelihood and family.

While passing the sentence, District Judge John Ng took into account Teo having pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. The judge added that the punishment must carry sufficient deterrence so drivers take more care.

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