16-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) A tragic incident has unfolded in the city-state, where a 57-year-old pedestrian lost his life after being struck by a lorry. The driver of the vehicle, a 35-year-old man, stands accused of not only failing to render aid but also fleeing the scene to neighboring Malaysia. In a collaborative effort between the Singapore Police Force and the Royal Malaysian Police, the suspect was successfully extradited and brought before the courts on Saturday (March 16).
The Singapore Police Force released a statement on Friday (15th) evening, detailing the events that transpired on August 25, 2023. According to the authorities, a report was received concerning an incident involving a lorry and a pedestrian at the junction of Jurong West Avenue 2 and Bulim Avenue.
The 57-year-old male pedestrian, initially conscious, was rushed to the hospital. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the lorry, however, is alleged to have fled the scene without stopping to provide assistance or report the incident to the police within the mandated 24-hour period. Instead, he is believed to have immediately crossed the border into Malaysia.
Through the collaborative efforts of witnesses, the Land Transport Authority, officers from the Traffic Police, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, investigators were able to identify the lorry’s license plate and the driver’s identity on the day of the incident.
Consequently, the National Court issued an arrest warrant for the male driver. With the invaluable cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Police, the suspect was apprehended in Malaysia on Thursday (14th) and extradited back to Singapore on Friday.
The individual is now set to appear in court on Saturday, facing charges of dangerous driving causing death. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from two to eight years. Additionally, if found guilty of dangerous driving causing serious injury, he may be subjected to a term of one to five years behind bars. Furthermore, the driver responsible for the accident will be prohibited from operating vehicles of any class.
In a statement, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Tan Sing Sing, director of the Traffic Police, expressed gratitude to the Royal Malaysian Police Force for their cooperation, emphasizing that the authorities will spare no effort in bringing to justice those who commit serious traffic offenses locally and subsequently flee abroad.
