Fine, driving ban for retiree, 77, for causing death of pedestrian

SINGAPORE — A 77-year-old male retiree was fined S$7,000 and banned from driving for five years this morning (Aug 26) at the State Courts for causing the death of a pedestrian through his negligence.

Willie Chan York Jen, pleaded guilty to causing the death of 75-year-old Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Yusoff while driving along Lorong 2 Toa Payoh at the cross junction of Lorong 6 Toa Payoh on Dec 21 last year.

At about 5.45pm that day, Chan had been driving along Lorong 2 Toa Payoh and heading towards the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) on his way home after playing badminton with friends at Toa Payoh West Community Centre, located at Lorong 2 Toa Payoh.

Chan had stopped at a red light while travelling on the four-lane road at Lorong 2 Toa Payoh. When the traffic light turned green in his favour, he proceeded to drive straight across the cross junction towards Lorong 2 Toa Payoh in the direction of the PIE.

At this point, Mr Ibrahim had been walking across the pedestrian crossing of Lorong 6 Toa Payoh at a walking pace. He had begun crossing when the red-man traffic signal was displayed.

Chan failed to keep a proper lookout while proceeding across the cross junction and did not notice Mr Ibrahim crossing from the left to the right of Lorong 6 Toa Payoh.

Mr Ibrahim was about to reach the road divider on Lorong 6 Toa Payoh when the front right corner of Chan’s car hit him.

Mr Ibrahim sustained head injuries, and was observed to be bleeding from mouth and short of breath. He fell unconscious and was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Later that night, Mr Ibrahim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Chan could have been jailed up to two years, fined or both.