A bus driver who ran into an elderly pedestrian on his first day of work was charged in court yesterday with causing death through negligence.

Malaysian Wong Kum Fatt, 36, was driving service 235 when he allegedly failed to give way while making a left turn out from Toa Payoh interchange into Lorong 6. His bus collided with 78-year-old Mr Wee Joon Kin who was walking on a pedestrian crossing on July 7 this year just before 6.30am.

Mr Wee was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Wong's lawyer Rajan Supramaniam asked that the case be adjourned for a Criminal Case Management Session (CCMS) to review the evidence.

District Judge Ronald Gwee adjourned Wong's case to Oct 25 and extended his bail until then.

Wong, whose service with SBS Transit has been terminated, was in court with his wife and sister-in-law.

The maximum penalty for causing death through a negligent act is two years' jail and a fine.

Elena Chong