Cabby gets jail for hitting 76-year-old woman crossing road at Pasir Ris junction, she later died in hospital
Nadine Chua
The Straits Times
June 11, 2025
A taxi driver who hit an elderly pedestrian as she was crossing the road in Pasir Ris was sentenced to five months and two weeks' jail.
On June 11, Ng Ian Huat, 59, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving without due care and attention.
He will also be disqualified from driving for eight years from the date of his release.
The 76-year-old pedestrian suffered a traumatic cardiac arrest and later died in hospital, with the cause of her death being multiple injuries.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Delicia Tan said that on the evening of Dec 10, 2023, Ng was driving his taxi at the T-junction of Pasir Ris Rise.
As he was making a right turn at Pasir Ris Drive 3, he looked to his left and did not see the elderly woman crossing the road in front of him.
At this time, the pedestrian light was green in the victim's favour. She had the right of way and had already made her way across almost three lanes of the road.
Footage played in court shows the elderly woman walking slowly on the road and seeing Ng's car heading towards her only seconds before he crashes into her.
DPP Tan said a witness noted that there were still 19 seconds left before the pedestrian green light turned to red, when Ng alighted from the taxi to check on the victim.
The woman was taken to Changi General Hospital and pronounced dead that night.
Seeking a jail term of 5½ months to seven months, DPP Tan noted that Ng had five previous speeding offences.
Ng's defence lawyer, Mr Thirumurthy Ayernaar Pambayan, argued for a sentence of no more than five months, adding that his client was remorseful and wanted to admit to his offence on the day he was charged.
Those who are convicted of driving without due care and attention, causing death, can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $10,000, or both.
