PMD rider crashed into boy outside school while fleeing LTA officer
SINGAPORE — A part-time delivery rider who was caught by enforcement officers for riding her personal mobility device (PMD) on a footpath sped away from the officers and crashed into a boy outside a primary school.
However, Jin Ng Teng, 19, did not stop. Instead, she fled to her then boyfriend's house, where she was later arrested.
Jin was given 15 months’ probation after she earlier pleaded guilty to one count each of causing hurt through a negligent act, riding an unregistered PMD, riding it on a footpath, and failing to stop when ordered to by a Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officer.
One count of riding a non-compliant PMD was also considered for her sentencing. Jin’s PMD was from the brand “Fiido” and weighed 19.34kg with a width of 62cm. She had tried to register her PMD online, but was unsuccessful as it did not comply with safety requirements.
As part of her probation, Jin has to keep to a time curfew and perform 40 hours of community service. Her parents, husband and mother-in-law will also execute a bond of $5,000 to ensure Jin’s good behaviour during her probation period.
Spotted in Hougang
At the time of the incident on 30 October 2020, two LTA officers were carrying out enforcement action against errant PMD users when one of them spotted Jin riding her PMD on the footpath along Hougang Street 91 towards Hougang Street 93. PMDs are not allowed on footpaths.
The officers followed Jin in a van and stopped. One alighted and walked towards Jin while brandishing an LTA pass. He identified himself as an LTA officer and told Jin to alight.
Instead of stopping, Jin sped away, riding her PMD at a speed of more than 10kmh on the footpath of Hougang Street 93 towards Hougang Primary School. It was around 7.10am and the entrance of the school was crowded with parents sending their children to school.
A boy, whose identity cannot be disclosed due to a gag order, was seated on the bench at the bus stop when Jin rode towards him yelling “Move! Move!”. Jin failed to stop and her PMD hit the boy’s right arm and hand, causing him to bend forward and cry. His mother was beside him at the time.
He was unable to bend his fingers on his right hand as a result. He was conveyed by ambulance to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital where a bruise was found on his right shoulder.
Jin did not stop, but continued on her PMD to Block 970 Hougang Street 91. She went to the seventh floor to evade the LTA officer and called her then boyfriend to inform him of the incident. She then went to his flat, where she was arrested that afternoon.
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