A structural engineer who beat a red light and ploughed into a motorcyclist killing him and injuring his pillion rider was jailed for 41/2 months on Friday.

Bian Yang, 32, was also banned from driving all vehicles for seven years after he admitted to causing the death of Malaysian Aravinthan Ganesan, 21, by dangerous driving.

He ran the light across the signalised junction of Mandai Road and hit the motorcycle which was turning right into Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) on Aug 24 last year.

A district court heard earlier that Bian was travelling at 70 to 80kmh along Mandai Road that morning when he accelerated his car, hoping to cross the junction before the amber light turned red. But he hit Mr Aravinthan who was turning right on a green-arrow signal.

Mr Aravinthan was flung through the air towards the left kerb and his cousin, Ms Sasikala Krishna Murthi, 23, thrown off the motorcycle onto the road. The motorcycle was knocked a few metres away, coming to a stop at a traffic light pole in the centre of the road.

Bian stopped his car and alighted to render aid. Mr Aravinthan was pronounced dead at the scene. Bian was then a provisional driver having obtained his licence in September the previous year.

His lawyer said the father of one suffered from depression after the accident and was remorseful. Bian could have been jailed for up to five years.