Police arrest suspects behind two hit-and-run accidents in Simei and Jurong

Eight vehicles were involved in an accident along Simei Avenue, near ITE College East on August 11, 2015. PHOTO: MATTHIAS HO FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

SINGAPORE - A 30-year-old driver believed to be responsible for a hit-and-run accident involving eight vehicles along Simei Avenue - next to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East - on Tuesday morning, has been arrested.

The pile-up, which occurred at 9.15am, involved six cars and two taxis, and occupied two of the three lanes on the road. One passenger had to be sent to hospital.

On Wednesday, police said the accident "occurred when the driver of a silver saloon car failed to exercise proper control of his vehicle".

The driver fled the scene on foot after the collision.

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Traffic Police established his identity through what it described as intensive investigations, and he was arrested in the vicinity of the National University Hospital.

His driving licence will be suspended and investigations are ongoing, said the police.

Separately, on Tuesday, the police arrested a 29-year-old man who is believed to have fled on foot after causing a collision along Jurong Town Hall Road two weeks ago .

The man had allegedly been driving a white multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on Friday, July 31, when it collided with a motorcyclist, causing him to be flung onto the road.

The MPV then crashed into the rear of another car, causing it to jerk forward, hitting the rear of a van.

The motorcylist had to be taken to hospital.

"It was established subsequently that the MPV that caused the accident was affixed with a false number plate," said the police.

The Traffic Police managed to identify the driver and arrested him in the vicinity of Hougang Street 21 for both traffic and drug offences, in a joint operation with the Central Narcotics Bureau.

Under the law, motorists involved in an accident where anyone is injured have to stop and render necessary assistance.

If the vehicle owner is not present at the scene, the motorist should take reasonable steps to inform the owner of the accident, such as by leaving a note on the windscreen of the damaged vehicle.

Unless the motorist is able to establish contact with the vehicle owner, the motorist should lodge a police report as soon as it is practical to do so and within 24 hours.

The penalty for hit-and-run accidents is a fine of up to $3,000 or up to 12 months' jail. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to $5,000 or up to two years' jail.

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