Uber driver fined $7k for causing pedestrian's death

An Uber driver who failed to keep a proper lookout and hit a woman at a pedestrian crossing when the "red man" was on was fined $7,000 yesterday for causing her death.

Pang Kim Suen, 62, now unemployed, was also banned from driving for five years for negligently causing Madam Ng Sock Ching's death in Hougang Avenue 8 on Nov 7 last year.

He was ferrying a passenger that morning in a Toyota private-hire car when he stopped at a U-turn junction behind some vehicles. After the passenger told him that the correct U-turn was further ahead, he drove towards the next U-turn point.

The stretch of road just ahead of the pedestrian crossing was painted red and textured, indicating that it was a school zone.

When Pang approached the pedestrian crossing in the right lane, Madam Ng, 60, who had a limp, was crossing the road despite the "red man" signal.

She had crossed almost two lanes and was a few steps away from the centre divider when Pang's car hit her.

Madam Ng was flung forwards on impact and suffered multiple severe injuries. She died at 8.44pm the next day.

Pleading for leniency, Pang said that he felt extremely guilty and remorseful for having caused the loss of life.

He told District Judge Kan Shuk Weng that his family had been affected by the incident and now would not allow him to go out by himself.

He added that he had learnt a "grave" lesson.

Pang could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing death through his negligence.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 30, 2017, with the headline Uber driver fined $7k for causing pedestrian's death. Subscribe