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Motorcyclist fined over death of pillion-riding girlfriend on PIE

Danial Andika Mohmad, 22, pleaded guilty to causing death by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. (Photo: Getty Images)
Danial Andika Mohmad, 22, pleaded guilty to causing death by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. (Photo: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — A motorcyclist who failed to keep a safe distance between himself and a lorry crashed into the heavy vehicle, causing his girlfriend who was riding pillion to fall onto an expressway, a court heard.

Tragically, she fell onto the path of a bus which was unable to avoid running over her.

The 20-year-old victim died in hospital shortly after.

At the State Courts on Thursday (12 December), motorcyclist Danial Andika Mohmad, 22, was fined $6,000 and banned from holding a driving licence for three years.

He pleaded guilty to causing the death of his girlfriend of about three years, Nur Diana Lim, by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide.

Failed to keep proper lookout ahead

On 12 December last year, at about 10pm, Danial rode behind a lorry along the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas on lane 4 of the five-lane road.

Suddenly, the two vehicles in front of the lorry met a collision and the lorry driver applied his brakes to avoid a pile-up.

“However, the accused had failed to keep a proper lookout ahead, resulting in his failure to keep a sufficient distance between himself and the lorry,” said Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Jing Yan.

“The accused’s motorcycle therefore collided into the left rear of the lorry. This resulted in the accused and the deceased falling onto lane 5 of the expressway,” added the prosecutor.

A bus which was travelling on lane 5 and less than 10 metres away from the victim when she fell onto its path was unable to avoid running over her.

The victim was later extricated from under the bus and sent to hospital via ambulance. She died from multiple injuries at about 11.25pm without regaining consciousness.

At the time of the accident, the weather was fine, the road surface was dry, traffic flow was moderate and visibility was clear. Both Danial and his girlfriend were wearing safety helmets.

Danial was also taken to hospital with injuries. He was admitted to the surgical high dependency ward before being transferred to the general ward.

He recovered well with rehabilitation and received hospitalisation leave from 12 December last year to 17 January.

The prosecution sought a fine in line with sentences meted out for fatal traffic accidents involving family members.

In passing sentence, District Judge Marvin Bay noted the “extremely tragic circumstances” of the accident. He said the case underscores the need for motorcycle riders to keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead, especially heavy vehicles.

The judge allowed Danial to pay his fine in monthly instalments of $1,000.

The maximum punishment for causing death by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide is up to two years’ jail and a fine.

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