Jail for e-scooter rider who struck one pedestrian on footbridge, then hit another as he fled

SINGAPORE — A 37-year-old man not only rode his electric scooter on a pedestrian bridge, he then tried to squeeze between two pedestrians.

In doing so, Victor Chin knocked down a 72-year-old man, then tried to flee on the personal mobility device as a crowd gathered. When another pedestrian reached out to stop him, he collided into her as well, before running away to his workplace.

For causing hurt to Mr Cheong Yik Choong and Ms Soh Zhi Wen, 29, by a rash act, Chin pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to two weeks’ jail on Thursday (July 18).

He was granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal, for a charge under the Active Mobility Act 2017, for riding his e-scooter on a pedestrian-only path.

The court heard that the incident took place on June 9 last year, at around 7.30am.

Chin was on the pedestrian bridge connecting Clementi Avenue 4 and Sunset Way, near Block 208, Clementi Avenue 4. He was wearing a helmet and had a ski mask on while riding his e-scooter.

The bridge was crowded with pedestrians, with barriers at the entrance and a sign directing people to “dismount and push” their bicycles or other devices.

As Chin tried to squeeze between two people, the right handle of his e-scooter knocked into Mr Cheong’s elbow. The elderly man fell to the ground.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Sarah Ong told the court that Mr Cheong recalled Chin was riding “quite fast” before the collision.

Some other pedestrians detained Chin, while someone called the police. Ms Soh kept an eye on him to prevent him from fleeing, but when she turned away to check if police officers had arrived, he started up his e-scooter.

He rode in Ms Soh’s direction with the intention of escaping, but she tried to stop him by holding onto the e-scooter’s handle. It knocked onto her wrist when he continued pressing on, causing her to stumble to the side and hit her face on the railing.

Chin then fled and reported to work as usual.

Mr Cheong’s daughter posted about the incident on Facebook, along with a photograph of Chin in his riding attire. Online users later identified Chin, and she passed his particulars on to the police.

At about 10.30pm that day, he surrendered himself at Clementi Police Division.

Mr Cheong went to the hospital to get medical treatment that morning, and was given three days’ medical leave. Ms Soh did not seek medical assistance.

DPP Ong sought two weeks’ jail for Chin, saying that he was “clearly more concerned about making a quick getaway than about the possible harm he could cause to Ms Soh”.

Chin’s lawyer, Mr Barry Delaney, asked for a fine instead. He said that Chin’s culpability was low as he had not injured Ms Soh, and he had voluntarily paid for Mr Cheong’s medical expenses.

It was also Chin’s first offence and he was remorseful for his actions, the lawyer added.

For causing hurt by a rash act, he could have been jailed for up to one year, fined up to S$5,000, or both.