Jail for driver who drove over leg of special needs woman in accident on church driveway
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Monica Cara Tew Lai Yee has also been ordered to compensate the victim with a sum of $19,594.03.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
- Monica Cara Tew Lai Yee was sentenced to seven days' jail on Aug 7 for causing grievous hurt by negligence when she ran over a pedestrian's leg.
- Tew, who was driving to church, failed to see the woman in the driveway, resulting in severe injuries for the victim and $19,594.03 in compensation.
- The victim suffered serious fractures and requires ongoing medical care, while Tew had seven prior speeding offences.
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SINGAPORE – While driving to church for Sunday service, a woman knocked down a pedestrian and drove over her leg.
The accident left the victim, a 46-year-old woman with special needs, with fractures to her elbow, knee and orbital bone in her face. She was given 339 days of hospitalisation leave.
On Aug 7, Monica Cara Tew Lai Yee was sentenced to seven days’ jail after pleading guilty to causing grievous hurt by a rash or negligent act. She has also been ordered to compensate the victim $19,594.03.
Court documents show that Tew had been driving to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Upper Thomson Road on Aug 18, 2024, to attend the morning mass.
As she approached a junction in the church’s driveway, Tew failed to notice the victim, who was walking along the same path. Her car collided with the woman while making a right turn, causing the victim to fall.
Tew’s car continued to move forward even after the impact, and her front wheel rolled over the woman’s left leg.
After stopping her car, Tew got out to help the victim but realised that her leg was still trapped under the vehicle. She moved her car forward before stepping out again.
The victim was described as bleeding around her mouth and her leg had bruises and was swelling.
The prosecution told the court that Tew had been driving at a relatively high speed in a location where regular human traffic was expected.
All church visitors use the same driveway to enter or leave the compound, court documents state.
The church told The Straits Times on Aug 8 that it had taken immediate steps to improve safety measures along the driveway.
“Markings have been painted on the floor to provide clear guidance for pedestrian pathways and to improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians,” said a church spokesperson.
The church has also reminded drivers to proceed slowly on its grounds and have briefed those on duty to exercise greater vigilance during peak arrival and dismissal periods.
“In addition, the church has relooked at and reassessed areas on the premises where there may be potential risks for accidents, so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said the spokesperson.
Tew had a slew of prior speeding offences in 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021. She also ran a red traffic light in 2016.
The victim continues to suffer from intermittent pain in her left knee when walking, and requires a trolley to walk in public. Her medical bills as a result of the collision totalled more than $19,500.
For causing grievous hurt to another person by performing a negligent act, an offender can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $5,000, or both.
