Minibus driver jailed 3 weeks for pedestrian's death
He didn't notice woman as he turned, knocked her down and killed her
He hit and killed a pedestrian while driving a minibus.
But driver Ong Seng Thiam, now 56, was not aware of the accident at first.
He only realised he had hit Vietnamese national Do Thi Kim Chi, 53, after he heard a metallic sound coming from the bottom of his vehicle.
He got off the bus and saw her lying on the ground near her shopping trolley.
Ong was jailed three weeks and disqualified from driving for five years after pleading guilty to causing a pedestrian's death by performing a negligent act.
He was driving along Delta Avenue at around 8am on July 21 last year when he reached a non-signalised T-junction.
He was turning left into Delta Road towards Lower Delta Road when Ms Do crossed the road in front of him, from his right to his left.
At that time, she was pushing a trolley filled with groceries which included a bottle of milk, fish and vegetables.
FAILED TO KEEP PROPER LOOKOUT
The court heard that he failed to keep a proper lookout while making the turn and hit her.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Teo Lu Jia said Ong was not aware he had collided with Ms Do as he had not seen her at all prior to making the left turn.
Court papers did not mention what exactly made the metallic sound.
After completing the turn, Ong drove forward before stopping on the left side of Delta Road.
When he alighted, he saw Ms Do lying on the ground near her trolley.
An eyewitness, known only as Mr Leow, informed the police.
Ms Do was rushed to the Singapore General Hospital by ambulance and was pronounced dead about three hours later.
She died of multiple injuries.
For causing the death by performing a negligent act, Ong could have been jailed up to two years and fined.
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