Teacher pleads guilty to negligent act which left motorcyclist with serious injuries

SINGAPORE — A primary school teacher was driving his car along Jurong West Avenue 2 on June 6 last year and wanted to make a right turn.

While turning right, he failed to keep a lookout for traffic from the opposite direction and collided into a motorcyclist, who had the right of way.

The impact flung the rider Ter Wei Jie off his motorcycle and left him with serious injuries.

On Thursday (March 21), Sim Wee Choon, 37, pleaded guilty to one charge of causing grievous hurt to the 19-year-old through a negligent act.

He will return to court on April 3 for sentencing.

The court heard that when the accident occurred in June last year, the traffic signal to turn right had not turned green but Sim went ahead to make a right turn and his car collided with the motorcyclist.

The rider was conveyed to hospital after the accident and medical reports showed that he suffered fractures, severe traumatic brain injury and a bone flap on his skull had to be removed.

The victim, now a full-time national serviceman, was hospitalised for 69 days and was given 34 days of hospitalisation leave.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Stacey Ann Fernandez urged the court to impose a one-week jail sentence, with three years’ disqualification from driving.

For causing grievous hurt by a negligent act, Sim could be jailed two years and/or fined up to S$5,000. He could also be disqualified from driving.