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Ex-SBS Transit bus driver jailed, handed driving ban for colliding into cyclist and wife

SINGAPORE — A former SBS Transit bus driver who drove into a cyclist and his wife and left them with debilitating brain injuries was on Thursday (Aug 2) jailed for six weeks and disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for three years.

SINGAPORE — A former SBS Transit bus driver who drove into a cyclist and his wife and left them with debilitating brain injuries was on Thursday (Aug 2) jailed for six weeks and disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for three years.

Lim Yeok Wah, 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing grievous hurt through a negligent act by colliding into Mr Song Kong Beng, 51, and his wife Hou Huhong, 37.

The court heard that the accident took place on Aug 8, 2016 at about 10.06pm.

Lim was driving SBS bus service 55 along Jalan Eunos towards Eunos Link. At that time, Mr Song was riding his bicycle, with Ms Hou as his pillion rider, ahead of the bus on the extreme left lane near the kerb.

The road surface was dry, and visibility was clear then.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Jaime Pang said: "The accused and the victims were travelling straight before the collision, and the accused had a prolonged and clear view of the victims."

Lim failed to keep a proper lookout, and collided into the rear of Mr Song's bicycle before the junction of the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) flyover. The impact caused the couple to fly off the bicycle.

Mr Song was found lying on the grass verge beside the road, while Ms Hou was on the footway.

Lim took a few seconds to realise that he had hit the couple, before he stopped to report the incident.

Mr Song and Ms Hou were conveyed to Changi General Hospital, where they were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

Ms Hou was warded for five months and was discharged in January 2017. She is now permanently disabled, and is living in a nursing home for long-term care after she was found to be permanently incapacitated for employment purposes.

Mr Song was warded for almost two months, and given medical leave till February 2017.

"Although he is physically independent, he has significant cognitive impairment which may improve over time but (is) likely to be permanent," said DPP Pang.

For each charge of causing grievous hurt by a negligent act, Lim could have been jailed for up to two years and fined up to S$5,000.

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