Khoo Tea Wah, 85-years-old, pleaded guilty on 14 June to one count of causing grievous hurt by a negligent act, and was fined $5,000 and banned from driving for a year.
He admitted to failing to give way to a 29-year-old motorcyclist and colliding into him, resulting in the victim suffering a fractured leg and dislocated toe.
Khoo appeared in court with a walking stick.
What happened?
The incident happened on 25 September 2019, at about 11.30am.
Khoo was driving out of the carpark gantry, with his wife in the front passenger seat, and he stopped his car to check for oncoming vehicles.
He wanted to make a turn into Bedok South Road towards Bedok South Avenue 1, when he saw the victim’s motorcycle approaching in lane 1.
However, Khoo proceeded to make the turn despite the victim having the right of way.
He drove across the 3rd and 2nd lane of the road and was about to enter the victim’s lane when his wife shouted: “motorbike, motorbike!”
However, Khoo continued driving forward and stopped only after his wife said “motorbike” for the third time.
But it was too late as he had already crashed into the victim, who was flung about 4 metres off his motorcycle and landed on his back.
The victim suffered a fractured femur, a dislocated toe and a knee wound – he was warded for 25 days and given more than a year’s hospitalisation leave, having to undergo multiple surgeries for his wrist and thigh.
The victim is unable to carry heavy items with his dominant hand, and still have follow-up appointments for his wrist injury.
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