Cabby jailed for causing grievous hurt by negligent act

SINGAPORE — A taxi driver was today (Aug 26) sentenced to two weeks’ jail and disqualified from driving for three years after he was convicted of causing grievous hurt to a motorcyclist and his pillion rider by a negligent act.

The accident occurred on the evening of July 15 last year along Lavender Street towards Balestier Road. Ishak Ismail, 59, was turning his taxi right into Serangoon Road when he collided into Mr Quek Choon Hock’s motorcycle, which was travelling straight across the junction.

Ishak had failed to keep a proper lookout for the motorcycle, which had the right of way. The impact of the collision caused both Mr Quek and his pillion rider to fall onto the road, and the taxi ran over Mr Quek’s right leg. Ishak only stopped the taxi about 50m from the scene.

The 60-year-old motorcyclist suffered fractures in both his feet, right thigh, right wrist and left hand.

He also had his right leg amputated below the knee as a result of his injuries. His wife, pillion rider Chua Bee Toon also suffered several fractures and had to undergo surgery on her right leg.

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

CHANNEL NEWSASIA