Bus driver charged with causing death and injuring another

The scene of a road accident involving SMRT bus service 700A which overturned on July 21, 2013. An SMRT bus driver was charged on Monday with causing the death of a passenger and injuring another  in an accident which occurred in July this
The scene of a road accident involving SMRT bus service 700A which overturned on July 21, 2013. An SMRT bus driver was charged on Monday with causing the death of a passenger and injuring another  in an accident which occurred in July this year. -- ST FILE PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

An SMRT bus driver was charged on Monday with causing the death of a passenger and injuring another in an accident which occurred in July this year.

Zhang Kun, 39, is accused of causing the death of Malaysian Sasikumar Gunasakaran, 19, by doing a rash act along the slip road of Bukit Timah Expressway into Dairy Farm Road at about 8.55am on July 21. He allegedly drove at 78kmh when the speed limit imposed was 50kmh. While negotiating a sharp left bend, he lost control of the 700A bus which veered perpendicularly across the road and crossed over the centre divider before hitting a concrete barrier and toppled over.

The second charge states that he caused hurt to the other passenger, Mr Ramanand Panday, 50, by doing an act so rashly as to endanger life. Mr Sasikumar was found crushed between seats at the front part of the bus. His body had to be extricated by Singapore Civil Defence Force officers.

Zhang, who is represented by Mr M. Ravi, will appear in court again on Jan 27. If convicted of causing death by a rash act, he could be jailed for up to five years and/or fined. Causing hurt by doing a rash act is punishable with up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

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