The death of a Singapore woman who suffered severe brain injuries after being struck by an e-scooter in 2016 has renewed attention on the dangers posed by personal mobility devices (PMDs), as questions remain over whether the punishment imposed on the rider adequately reflected the devastating consequences of the collision.
Ang Liu Kiow passed away on Oct 14, 2026, at the age of 64, after spending almost a decade living with impairments caused by the accident. According to The Straits Times, her death was due to coronary artery disease.
The incident occurred in Pasir Ris when Ang was knocked down by a 17-year-old riding an e-scooter at around 14 to 15km/h. The collision caused her to fall and hit her head, leaving her in a coma for approximately a month.
A Collision That Changed A Woman’s Life Forever
Before the accident, Ang was able to live independently. After suffering severe brain injuries, however, she could no longer speak, read or write normally and required assistance with basic daily activities, including eating.
Her recovery was gradual, with her husband, Leong Loon Wah, taking on the demanding responsibility of caring for her over the years.
According to reports, Leong would check on his wife before leaving for work each day, relying on a helper to look after her while he was away. He reportedly spent his working hours longing to return home to be with her.
Although Ang made some progress during rehabilitation, her condition deteriorated in later years. She experienced frequent falls and increasingly needed assistance with her daily needs.
Her son described her as resilient, recalling how she continued trying to regain her independence despite the difficulties she faced.
Was The Punishment Too Light For The Consequences?
One of the most troubling aspects of the case is the sentence handed to the e-scooter rider in 2018.
The then-17-year-old received a short detention order of 14 days and 100 hours of community service. Under this order, he would not have a criminal record after completing the sentence.
For Ang’s family, however, the consequences of the collision did not end after 14 days.
Her husband spent years providing care, while the family had to adjust to the physical, emotional and financial demands of supporting someone with severe brain injuries.
The contrast between the relatively short sentence and the long-term impact on the victim raises a difficult question: how should the justice system punish dangerous behaviour involving personal mobility devices when a collision leaves someone with life-changing injuries?
A sentence must be assessed in the context of the law, the circumstances of the offence and the offender’s age at the time. Nevertheless, the case illustrates why the consequences for victims and their families are an important part of public discussions about road and path safety.
S$445,000 Compensation Ordered, But Family Received Nothing
The financial consequences added another layer of hardship for Ang’s family.
In 2020, a court ordered the e-scooter rider to pay Ang S$445,000 in compensation. However, according to her husband, the rider did not make any payment, reportedly stating that he lacked the money.
Leong also told the media that the rider had neither apologised to the family nor visited Ang after the accident.
He said he had been criticised for not forgiving the rider, but stressed that his feelings were not simply about holding a grudge. The absence of an apology remained a painful issue for him.
The case highlights a wider challenge in personal injury cases: even when compensation is awarded, a family may struggle to obtain the money if the person ordered to pay cannot or does not do so.
For families facing years of caregiving expenses, the difference between a court award and actual payment can be significant.
E-Scooter Safety Became A National Issue
Ang’s accident drew attention to the risks associated with personal mobility devices and was raised in Parliament in discussions about regulating their use.
The incident was among the cases that helped bring greater scrutiny to unsafe PMD riding. In 2017, the Active Mobility Bill was debated in Parliament and subsequently passed, introducing a regulatory framework for the use of devices such as e-scooters.
Rules governing where devices can be used and how riders should behave are intended to reduce the risk of collisions involving pedestrians and other path users.
However, regulations alone cannot eliminate danger if riders disregard safety requirements or fail to take sufficient care around others.
Even at speeds that may appear relatively modest, a collision can cause a pedestrian to fall and suffer serious head injuries. The risks are particularly concerning in shared spaces where pedestrians may have little time to react to an approaching device.
The Long-Term Cost Of Unsafe Riding
Ang’s experience shows that the impact of a mobility-device accident can extend far beyond the initial collision. A single incident can leave a victim dependent on others for years, while family members take on responsibilities they may never have expected.
During the first two years after the accident, Leong helped his wife practise speaking and singing. He recalled that she managed to call his name several times, giving him hope that she might continue to recover.
However, she never called his name again, according to his account to the media.
As Leong’s own health declined in the last two years, the family arranged for another helper to care for Ang. He said he had tried his best to look after her, describing her care as his biggest priority.
The family also received public support, including a crowdfunding effort by a mother and daughter who reportedly raised about S$164,000 to ease their financial burden. In a gesture of kindness towards others in need, the family decided to donate items such as Ang’s wheelchair.
A Case That Raises Difficult Questions About Accountability
Ang’s death comes nearly 10 years after the accident that transformed her life. Although her reported cause of death was coronary artery disease, the severe injuries she sustained in the collision had left her with profound and lasting impairments.
The case serves as a reminder that unsafe e-scooter riding can have consequences far beyond a fine, a short detention period or community service. For victims, the effects can include permanent disability, loss of independence and years of intensive care.
It also raises questions about whether existing penalties, compensation arrangements and enforcement measures sufficiently address the harm caused by dangerous riding.
Ultimately, safer shared paths require responsible behaviour from riders, effective enforcement and a legal framework that takes serious harm into account. For pedestrians, the ability to use public spaces without facing avoidable risks remains a fundamental concern.
For Ang’s family, the past decade was marked by caregiving, uncertainty and the hope of recovery. Her story is a sobering reminder that when safety is ignored, the consequences can last a lifetime.
Photos from Shin Min Daily News & Singapore Uncensored