Driver who caused mother’s death in accident fined, banned from driving
On the first day of the Lunar New Year this year, a man closed his eyes momentarily while driving a car which held his family members.
As a result, his car veered across two lanes before colliding with the rear of a bus.
Peh Boon Wee’s mother, who was seated at the back of the car, died from the accident.
On Wednesday (7 November), Peh, 48, was fined $10,000 and banned from driving for five years after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of his 70-year-old mother through a negligent act.
He also admitted to causing hurt to his 74-year-old father, who was seated beside him, and his 13-year-old niece.
All four are Malaysians.
Facts of the case
At 5am on 16 February, Peh started driving from Malaysia to Singapore for a New Year gathering. He had slept for six hours the night before and stopped for breaks several times during the eight-hour drive.
He was driving along Ayer Rajah Expressway towards Marina Coastal Expressway on the rightmost lane of the four-lane road when the accident occurred.
Peh closed his eyes momentarily as he felt sleepy. His car then veered left across two lanes before it collided with an SBS bus. Peh’s mother and niece were not wearing their seat belts.
Peh’s mother died as a result of extensive spinal injuries at 2.30pm that day. His father suffered abdominal injuries while his niece sustained injuries including lacerations on her face and a bruised knee.
The car was later assessed and no mechanical faults detected.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Deborah Lee said that Peh’s culpability and the harm he caused was high, but noted that the deceased and injured were his family members.
Peh, who represented himself, asked for leniency.
For causing death by a negligent act, Peh could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined. For causing hurt by a negligent act, he could have been jailed up to six months and/or fined up to $2,500.
