PMA rider, 93, dies 18 months after being hit by car while buying groceries for wife with Alzheimer's
Ethel Tseng
TNP
Aug 7, 2025
Even in his nineties, Chen Mian Kun (transliterated) remained devoted to his wife, who had Alzheimer's - often running errands and cooking for her despite his age.
But during one of his regular grocery runs in January 2024, he was struck by a car while crossing the road on his personal mobility aid (PMA). He never recovered, and died in June after being bedridden for 18 months.
Chen lived at Block 749 Yishun Street 72 with his wife and a female tenant.
His daughter, Ms Chen Wei En (transliterated), 50, remembered him fondly as a strong and healthy person despite his age. She told Shin Min Daily News that he was her mother's primary caregiver and would do regular grocery runs.
She added that he would often ride his PMA to do volunteer work with her, such as distributing food to the needy.
On Jan 19, 2024, he was riding his PMA to a nearby market to buy groceries for his wife when he was struck by a car.
"Normally, I would also help look after my parents, but I had just left the country for a trip the day before," said Ms Chen.
"The security camera at our front door had also stopped working because my mother had accidentally turned off the power. That evening, when our tenant returned and noticed my father was missing, she alerted us, and we called the police."
The next day, the family received the devastating news: Chen had been involved in an accident and had suffered a brain haemorrhage. He had undergone emergency surgery.
"He had only brought his wallet with him that day, and not his identification card, so the police were only able to identify and contact us the day after the incident," Ms Chen explained.
Aftermath of accident
Following the operation, Chen's condition deteriorated rapidly and he fell into a vegetative state. After nearly three months in the hospital, the family brought him home.
"We hired a professional caregiver to look after him during the day. At night, my elder sister and I took turns to stay up and keep watch, ensuring he was never left alone," said Ms Chen.
After being bedridden for 18 months, Chen died in June 2025 at the age of 93.
"It's still hard to accept," said Ms Chen. "He was a perfectly healthy man, and in an instant, everything changed."
According to MS News, Chen's son, 53-year-old interior designer Chen Wei Wu, said his father loved his wife of 60 years dearly, even after she developed Alzheimer's.
A romantic at heart, Chen continued writing her love letters and would kiss her forehead during her birthday celebrations, his son added.
Well-loved in the neighbourhood, Chen had lived in Yishun for over 30 years and was known for fixing household items around the estate free of charge.
Driver in accident sentenced to 6 months in prison
The driver who hit Chen, 57-year-old Leck Hang Wei (transliterated), pleaded guilty in court on August 4 to one count of careless driving.
According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, Leck was driving along Yishun Ring Road and had stopped at a red light at the junction with Yishun Avenue 5.
While waiting in the far-left lane, four individuals crossed the road, but he failed to notice Chen on his PMA behind them.
Leck then made a left turn, failing to notice that Chen was still in the middle of crossing the road. The front portion of the car struck his PMA, causing him to fall.
According to the statement of facts, the traffic light was still red in Leck's direction at the time, while the green man signal was in favour of the victim.
Leck stopped immediately to assist and called for an ambulance.
According to his lawyer, he showed genuine remorse and had done his best to help after the incident.
Leck was sentenced to six months' jail and disqualified from driving for five years.
Editor's note: This article was amended to reflect the statement of facts.
