Bus driver who ran over and killed pedestrian jailed for a week

SINGAPORE - A former SMRT bus driver who ran over and killed an elderly pedestrian was jailed for a week and banned from the road for four years on Monday.

Malaysian Gunawathy Jakadi, 36, admitted that her negligence caused the death of 90-year-old Mr Tan Cheng Hau, 90, along Jurong East Avenue 1 at noon on Nov 17 last year.

The court heard that Gunawathy had driven out of a bus bay into the left lane of the two-lane Jurong East Avenue 1 that day when Mr Tan had started crossing the road using a walking stick.

Although he had raised his left hand to signal his presence to oncoming traffic, Gunawathy did not notice and hit him before dragging him along the road.

The court heard that Mr Tan did not cross at a designated pedestrian crossing.

He suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gunawathy could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing death through a negligent act.

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