In 2022, a tragic accident involving a cement truck left a 10-year-old boy, Cayden Lee, with severe injuries. The incident occurred at the junction of Upper Changi Road East, and it had a profound impact on the boy’s life and his family.
The father of the boy then shared that in March earlier this year, he was informed by the Traffic Police that the driver was not prosecuted for the accident, only receiving a “stern warning” instead.
The Tragic Accident
On 18 June 2022, Cayden Lee was crossing the road at the junction of Upper Changi Road East when tragedy struck. Despite having the green signal in his favor, Cayden was run over by the cement truck as it made a left turn. The truck’s left front tire pinned him down, causing severe injuries.
Following the accident, Cayden was rushed to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where he underwent a staggering 16 surgeries. His right leg and left waist sustained severe injuries, and he also suffered internal damage. To address his bodily functions, doctors had to create an opening on his left stomach for waste excretion.
The injuries left Cayden physically deformed and scarred, but the impact extended beyond the physical realm. The trauma of the accident left him mentally scarred as well, resulting in withdrawal and an inability to communicate with others.
As Cayden fought for his recovery, his family faced additional challenges. Mr. Lee, Cayden’s father, was deeply distressed, witnessing his son’s pain and suffering.
Adding to their anguish, Mr. Lee’s mother passed away in October 2022, and Cayden couldn’t bid her farewell due to his own hospitalization.
Seeking Accountability and Safety Measures
In the aftermath of the accident, Mr. Lee took it upon himself to seek accountability and push for enhanced safety measures at the accident site. He wrote to numerous ministers and his Member of Parliament, urging them to address the flouting of traffic rules and illegal parking near the construction sites with heavy vehicles. Despite his efforts, the situation persisted, and the authorities’ response was far from satisfactory.
Mr. Lee’s attempts to engage with authorities about the unsafe conditions at the junction received lukewarm responses, leaving him frustrated and disappointed. Even when meeting some ministers in person, he felt their replies were standard and lacked empathy for the emotional toll the accident had taken on his family.
In March 2023, the Traffic Police informed Mr. Lee that they would issue the cement truck driver a “stern warning” for causing grievous hurt due to inconsiderate driving. However, when Mr. Lee sought an explanation for why the driver wasn’t prosecuted, he received no response.
Despite the challenges Mr. Lee’s family faced, they are determined to raise awareness about heavy vehicle accidents and advocate for better safety measures. They are concerned that such incidents might be more rampant than just in their area alone, and they want to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain and suffering.
Header images source: Mr Lee