Food delivery rider admits causing elderly man to suffer stroke, brain haemorrhage after 2019 collision on footpath

• Tian Wei Jie was looking at his phone to check on his job assignment when he collided into a pedestrian
• The victim suffered a stroke and was warded 102 days in hospital
• Two years later, while on out on bail, Tian rode a power-assisted bicycle while drunk and collided into another pedestrian

SINGAPORE — A 35-year-old food delivery rider pleaded guilty on Monday (Nov 15) to causing an elderly man to suffer a stroke and undergo emergency life-saving surgery when he collided his electric scooter into the pedestrian in 2019.

Tian Wei Jie, who was working for delivery firm Foodpanda at the time, had taken his eyes off the footpath to check on his job assignment on his phone.

Two years later, while riding a power-assisted bicycle after having drunk six large bottles of beer, Tian knocked down another man on a footpath.

Tian on Monday admitted to four charges related to the two incidents, including for riding his power-assisted bicycle on a footpath and for pushing the second victim onto the ground and repeatedly punching him after colliding into him.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Bryont Chin said that the first incident had occurred on July 7, 2019 at a footpath in Bedok South.

Tian had been riding his e-scooter at about 20km/h. This was about double the speed limit a personal mobility device (PMD) could go on a footpath, which was still allowed at the time.

The victim, now 77 and named in court documents as Mr Lim Poon Guan, suffered a life-threatening form of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain.

Mr Lim had to go through emergency life-saving surgery and was warded 102 days in hospital.

Mr Lim's daughter made a police report the next day. The next month, the police seized his e-scooter, which weighed about 18kg, which was under the 20kg weight limit allowed. About a year later, Tian was arrested and released on bail.

The second incident happened in Bedok North on March 7 this year, while Tian was still out on bail.

While intoxicated, he rode his power-assisted bicycle on a footpath, which has not been permitted by law since 2020.

He failed to keep a proper lookout ahead of him and collided into 60-year-old Koh Ah Beng, who was walking on the footpath with his wife.

Tian used vulgarities on Mr Koh, who replied that he should not have ridden in such a dangerous manner.

That agitated Tian, who then threw Mr Koh onto the ground. The two men exchanged punches while Mr Koh’s wife hit Tian with her umbrella.

The scuffle attracted the attention of passers-by who restrained Tian before he took off on his bicycle.

Mr Koh reported the incident to the police later that evening. He suffered abrasions on his right knee and a bruise on his right hand.

Tian has fully compensated Mr Koh S$126 for his medical expenses.

For Mr Lim, the first victim, the hospitalisation bill, which amounted to some S$46,600, was paid for by his own Central Provident Fund Medishield, Medisave and insurance payouts.

DPP Chin told the court that Tian has had multiple brushes with the law and had been ordered to stay in a juvenile home in the past. His past offences included repeated offences of robbery, theft and being a member of an unlawful society.

Tian’s bail was set at S$15,000. He is to be sentenced Tuesday morning.

For commiting a rash act causing grievous hurt, he could be jailed for up to four years or fined up to S$10,000 or punished with both.

For committing a rash act endangering human life or the personal safety of others, he could be jailed up to one year or fined up to S$5,000, or both.

For voluntarily causing hurt, he could be jailed up to three years or fined up to S$5,000, or both.

For riding his power-assisted bicycle on a footpath, he could be fined up to S$2,000 or jailed up to three months, or both.