A MOTORIST was jailed for 15 months and banned from driving for eight years on Thursday for causing the death of his front seat passenger through dangerous driving.
Goh Khang Wei, 26, unemployed, admitted to beating the red lights at the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Havelock Road, causing his car to hit a taxi on Dec 27, 2007. This resulted in the death of his friend, Mr Jirachai Jirochijrayoot, 28.
Goh was also given a concurrent five-month sentence for causing hurt to taxi driver Ang Swee Khoon, 65, and his two passengers, Mr Tan Mong Chye, 57, and Ms Mery, 58, by his rash act.
A district court heard last month that Goh was driving along Eu Tong Sen Street at 4.24am on the day in question when he sped through the red-light junction.
At the junction, his car hit a taxi which had right of way and was going straight along Havelock Road towards Upper Pickering Street.
On impact, the taxi spun and came to a halt on the centre divider.
The car continued to travel forward for 40m before stopping.
Mr Jirachai was taken to hospital where he died the following day of head injuries.
Mr Ang and the couple in his taxi were also injured and given between three and 10 days' medical leave.
Goh could have been jailed for up to five years for causing death by driving recklessly in a dangerous manner.
The punishment for causing hurt by performing a rash act is a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to $500 or both.
