Doctor gets jail for negligent driving leading to crash, death

A doctor failed to keep a proper lookout while driving a car on Oct 8, 2019, and did not give way to another vehicle that had the right of way at a traffic junction.

Ernest Fu Weizhong also did not stop at a white line before making a discretionary right turn.

This led to a crash between his vehicle and a car driven by Mr Soon Jin Joke, which had been going at speeds of up to 76kmh before braking. The speed limit is 60kmh.

Mr Soon's mother, Madam Heng Fong Boey, 96, who was in the back seat, was not wearing a seat belt. She suffered serious injuries, including bleeding in the skull, and died four days later.

Fu, now 39, was yesterday sentenced to a week's jail after he pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt by driving in a negligent manner. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licence for two years from his date of release.

Court documents did not disclose if the authorities had taken any action against Mr Soon.

An online search of registered healthcare professionals in Singapore showed that Fu is from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology - which deals with the ear, nose and throat - at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). The hospital's website states that he is a consultant.

The court heard yesterday that Fu was driving along Tampines Avenue 12, towards Tampines Avenue 9, around 8pm on Oct 8, 2019, when he decided to turn into Tampines Expressway (TPE).

He stopped at a junction leading to the TPE turn-off as there were other vehicles in front. But when they moved off, he made a discretionary right turn.

The green arrow traffic light signal allowing vehicles to turn was not on at the time, the court heard.

Meanwhile, Mr Soon's car sped across the junction as the traffic lights were in his favour. His car collided head-on with Fu's car.

The impact caused Mr Soon's car to roll backwards, hitting a third car. Madam Heng, who was in the back seat, was thrown forward and became wedged in the front seat.

She was conscious when an ambulance rushed her to Changi General Hospital. She had multiple fractures and bleeding in her skull. She died on Oct 12, 2019.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, Adjunct Associate Professor Chong Yew Lam, TTSH's divisional chairman of surgery, said Fu is still a staff member.

He added: "This is a very unfortunate incident. Our deepest condolences to the family for their loss. Our doctor has been with us for many years, caring for patients. We will be supporting him through this difficult time."

For causing grievous hurt by negligent driving, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000.