Van driver jailed for a week and given 5-year road ban for killing elderly pedestrian

Wu Chung Liang, 41, was also banned from driving for five years after pleading guilty to causing death through negligence. PHOTO: ST GRAPHIC

SINGAPORE - A deliveryman who knocked down and killed an elderly lady after failing to spot her was jailed for one week on Tuesday (Aug 18).

Wu Chung Liang, 41, was also banned from driving for five years after pleading guilty to causing death through negligence.

He had failed to see 77-year-old Madam Ang Char Boh, alias Ang Chui Eng, who was using a walking stick to cross the two-laneUpper Boon Keng Road on April 16.

The court heard that Wu had been in the right-hand lane when he hit Madam Ang, throwing her 15m forward.

He immediately got out of his van and found she was unconscious, then called police.

She died just over an hour later in hospital.

The incident was recorded by the in-vehicle camera of a car parked on the opposite side of the road.

The video footage showed Madam Ang had paused to give way to vehicles before starting to cross.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mansoor Amir told the court that the prosecution accepted there was some contributory negligence on the part of the deceased, who should have allowed Wu to pass before crossing.

Although this lowered Wu's culpability, he said it did not completely absolve Wu because he should have noticed her approaching.

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

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