In the coroner’s inquiry findings released yesterday (July 15), State Coroner Kamala Ponnanpalam said that Mr Xu Kai Xiang suffered from a severe congenital heart disease that could’ve led to a blackout, which caused the accident that killed father-daughter paid, Mr Chua Cheng Thong, 86, and Ms Gina Chua Aye Wah, 58 – as well as their family friend Mr Yap Soon Huat, 63.
She added that there was no basis to suspect foul play.
Mr Xu pleaded guilty to two charges of driving without the relevant license and insurance last October and was fined $1,400, as well as a ban from driving for a year.
He was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for causing the three victims’ death by driving dangerously.
However, the victims’ family told reporters that they do not accept the findings and will file a civil lawsuit against him.
Chain of Events
On April 23, 2018, at around 9.30 am, Mr Xu lost control of the lorry and mounted the curb, hitting the railings then surging forward and hit the victims.
The late Ms Chua was taking her father to the hospital at the time for a medical check-up.
It is worth noting that Xu needed a Class 3 licence to drive the lorry but he only had a Class 3A license.
Xu testified that he had a momentary blackout on the day of the accident, during which he experienced vlurry visions and a heaviness in his head – to which he tried to keep his eyes open but couldn’t.
He became unconscious and his last memory was of him travelling straight on the road before feeling an impact, when he regained consciousness, his leg was pinned.
His last cardiac appointment was in March 2013, after which he defaulted on subsequent appointments because he said that he was “feeling fine.”
He did not sought medical help nor informed his employer about it.
Kamala added that Mr Xu would’ve benefited from regular monitoring and she extended her “deepest condolences to (the three victims’ families) for their very sad loss.”