Survivor of fatal crash sues two drivers involved in the collision that killed NUS undergraduate

SINGAPORE – A National University of Singapore (NUS) student, who survived a car crash that killed a friend he was sharing a taxi ride with, is suing the two drivers involved in the collision for an unspecified amount.

The civil trial commenced at the Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 16).

Ting Jun Heng, 24, is suing 56-year-old taxi driver Yap Kok Hua, whose taxi he was in at the time of the accident, and 23-year-old driver Ng Li Ning for negligence.

Mr Ting claims that Yap was negligent by failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to give way to Ng’s vehicle and making a discretionary right turn when it was dangerous to do so, among other things. 

As for Ng, Mr Ting claims his list of negligent acts include driving at an excessive speed and failing to observe Yap's taxi turning right. He also did not reduce his speed as he approached the junction where he collided into Yap’s taxi.

TODAY previously reported that an analysis by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) found that Ng had been driving at between 92 km/h and 97 km/h. The speed limit there was 70 km/h. Yap was travelling at about 24 km/h then. 

While Mr Ting’s claim amount is currently unspecified, court documents listed special damages incurred to date such as medical expenses of more than S$86,680, transport expenses of at least S$1,650 and S$30,000 for miscellaneous expenses such as the installation of disability aids and a mobile commode.

Mr Ting, who was flung out of the car, suffered severe brain injuries and was vegetative, but managed to get better. He was hospitalised for 54 days and referred to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for rehabilitation.

Court documents filed by Mr Ting’s lawyer, Mr Ramasamy K Chettiar of Central Chambers Law, stated Mr Ting still required assistance walking and showering about eight months after the accident.

Furthermore, he had to postpone his studies for a year.

The trial continues for the rest of the week. It comes close to a year after Yap pleaded guilty to one charge of a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide and a second charge of causing grievous hurt to three surviving passengers.

He was sentenced to eight weeks' jail in August last year and banned from driving for five years. Ng's case is still pending.

WHAT HAPPENED

Mr Ting was one of four passengers who boarded Yap’s taxi on the evening of April 19, 2018 at Clementi Mall.

The passengers, who were all NUS students, were headed to Tembusu College, a residential hostel at the university.

Mr Ting was seated at the rear of the taxi, alongside Kathy Ong Kai Ting, who died in the accident.

They had only been on the road for two minutes when they arrived at the junction of Commonwealth Avenue West and Clementi Road.

When the traffic light turned green, Yap moved forward into the right turn pocket, stopping to check for vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

He saw Ng speeding towards him, but decided to make a discretionary right turn into Ng’s path. Both vehicles collided into each other, while the taxi also hit another stationary car at the junction.

The taxi and Ng’s car were both severely damaged. At the time, visibility was good, the weather was clear and traffic flow was light.

All four victims were taken to the National University Hospital, where Ong was pronounced dead at about 10.30pm. She was 19 at the time.