62-year-old Tan Phuay Khoo, a former SBS Transit driver, was sentenced to seven months in jail following an accident in 2021 when a bus he was driving struck a pedestrian, resulting in the amputation of part of her left leg.
In light of the evidence presented during the trial, Tan Phuay Khoo was sentenced on 3 October to seven months’ imprisonment, according to The Straits Times.
Additionally, he was disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licenses for five years from his date of release. Despite the verdict, Tan intends to appeal against his conviction and sentence and was offered bail of $15,000.
The Incident
On January 19, 2021, Tan Phuay Khoo was operating a bus in the afternoon noon when he approached the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 1 and Pasir Ris Drive 2.
Meanwhile, a woman pedestrian was crossing Pasir Ris Drive 1, with the traffic light in her favor. Despite waiting for a van to pass, Tan proceeded to make a discretionary right turn, which led to a collision with the woman.
The consequences of this collision were severe. The victim sustained injuries that included the skin on her left leg being ripped off.
As a result of these injuries, the woman had to undergo the amputation of part of her left leg.
Legal Proceedings
During the trial, Tan Phuay Khoo was convicted of causing grievous hurt to the woman by driving in an inconsiderate manner.
The prosecution argued that he should have been more cautious, especially considering that the pedestrian had the right of way.
Deputy Public Prosecutor R. Arvindren emphasized that the victim was walking at a normal pace, and the turn occurred within a residential zone.
It was pointed out that Tan, operating a heavy vehicle, proceeded with the turn despite the pedestrian green light being in her favor.
Tan’s defense maintained that he did not notice the pedestrian before the collision. However, the prosecution contended that he should have stopped and checked if obstructions hindered his visibility.
Doctor’s testimony
The trial started on 4 April with the doctor who was in charge of the victim’s rehabilitation being called to the stand by the prosecution.
The doctor, who works at Changi General Hospital as a senior consultant, testified in court that the woman was seriously injured in the accident and suffered lacerations to her forehead and left foot and fractures to her spine and legs.
They tried to save her right thigh by amputating her leg below her left knee but later discovered that there was insufficient blood supply to the left thigh, and subsequently removed her left thigh in a second surgery.
The victim currently requires a prosthetic leg and is also suffering from mental trauma aside from her permanent disability.
Victim’s testimony in court
Bai testified that on the day of the horror accident, she was on her way to the supermarket to buy some groceries.
She said that she had started crossing the road at the time when the green man on the traffic light was flashing before she heard a bang. She said that the next moment, she found herself on a hospital bed.
On her serious leg injuries, she said that her left was amputated from her thigh down after the accident, and her right leg was also fractured and had to be surgically reconstructed.
As such, she is no longer able to walk up or down stairs; or run, jump and squat without assistance.
She also said that she is not willing to go out anymore because she felt that she had become a different person now.
The victim also broke down while testifying in court, revealing that she has a 10-year-old daughter and sharing that she is worried about going out with her daughter after the accident.
She said that she is afraid of the weird looks that she gets from the public and fears it would be too much for her daughter, adding that she is worried about her daughter’s future.
The victim’s mother who was sitting in the public gallery of the courtroom, also broke down after seeing her daughter crying on the stand.