In a sombre case that unfolded in Marine Parade, a 79-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by a lorry driver with a history of errant driving.
The driver, Indian national Sivalingam Suresh, 40, was sentenced to 10 months in jail on December 20 for the charge of driving without due care and attention causing death. The tragic incident occurred on February 28, resulting in the untimely demise of Ms Bernadette Mah Sui Har, according to The Straits Times.
The Fatal Incident
Deputy Public Prosecutor Benedict Teong presented the court with details of the unfortunate event. Sivalingam Suresh was driving his lorry along Marine Terrace towards Marine Crescent around 11:30 am when he failed to notice Ms Mah crossing a zebra crossing near Ngee Ann Primary School.
The collision led to severe injuries for Ms Mah, including a skull fracture and brain bleeding. Despite being taken to Changi General Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries later that day.
Legal Consequences
Sivalingam Suresh, with a history of driving offences that included inconsiderate driving and disregarding a red light, pleaded guilty to the charge.
In addition to the 10-month jail term, he will be disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licenses for eight years following his release.
Prosecution’s Position
DPP Teong argued for a 10 to 11-month jail sentence and an eight-year driving ban, emphasizing the severity of Sivalingam’s driving history and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The prosecutor highlighted the light traffic flow, damp road surface, and good visibility at the time, negating external factors as contributors to the accident.
Driver’s Remorse and Plea for Leniency
During his mitigation plea, Sivalingam expressed remorse for causing the death of Ms Mah. Unrepresented by a lawyer, he spoke of being the breadwinner for his family in India, including his two-year-old son and his wife, who had previously suffered a severe accident. Sivalingam stressed his reliance on his job as a driver in Singapore to support his family.