Man fined $2,000 for injuring 6-year-old boy while riding e-scooter
SINGAPORE — A Singaporean man was fined $2,000 on Wednesday (17 July) for injuring a six-year-old boy while riding an electric scooter at East Coast Park.
Sachiv Raj Verma, 20, had pleaded guilty in the State Courts of causing hurt by a negligent act that endangered the safety of Zhao Tian Zhe after colliding with the boy while riding his “Speedway-4” e-scooter on 22 March this year.
The accident occurred at night while Tian Zhe was playing with his kick scooter along the cycling path in front of the Starbucks outlet at East Coast Park.
Sachiv, who was serving his national service in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, was riding his e-scooter along the same path, somewhere behind the victim.
Subsequently, when Tian Zhe swerved towards the centre line directly in front of the e-scooter, Sachiv failed to keep a proper lookout and collided into the boy, causing both of them to fall onto the ground.
Tian Zhe’s father heard the commotion and called for police assistance after rushing to check on his son. Sachiv also stopped to render help to the boy.
Medical leave, plastic surgery
Tian Zhe suffered lacerations on his forehead, left cheek and right foot. He was sent to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in a conscious state and was given seven days of medical leave. He is scheduled to meet a plastic surgery team.
Sachiv suffered abrasions on his elbows and knee. His e-scooter was seized and later found by the Land Transport Authority to be compliant with legal requirements.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Kwang Jia Min sought a $2,500 fine, noting Tian Zhe’s injuries and his length of medical leave.
As Sachiv had rendered assistance and pleaded guilty, DPP Kwang said that a fine was sufficient in default of a one-week jail term.
Addressing the court, Sachiv said the incident had affected him emotionally and taught him to be more cautious and responsible. He pleaded to be given another chance and a lenient sentence.
additional reporting by Wan Ting Koh
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