Taxi driver who fatally crashed into pedestrian jailed 3 weeks

A taxi driver who fatally crashed into a pedestrian was on Thursday (13 December) sentenced to three weeks’ jail and banned from driving for five years.

Soo Yeow Pin, 46, who no longer works as a cabby, pleaded guilty to one charge of causing death by a negligent act.

At about 9.30pm on 14 April, Soo was driving his taxi at the service road of Block 22 Boon Keng Road towards the main road of Boon Keng Road after alighting a passenger.

Soo made a right turn into Boon Keng Road towards Towner Road. He turned his head to check for oncoming vehicles from his left while driving forward.

But Soo failed to keep a proper lookout and didn’t notice 53-year-old pedestrian Lew Thiam Choy, who was crossing in front of the taxi, from Soo’s left to right. The taxi crashed into Lew, who was not jaywalking, as he was not within 50m of the “No Pedestrian Crossing” zone.

Lew was pronounced dead at the scene.

For causing death by a negligent act, Soo, who will begin serving sentence on 15 January, could have been jailed for up to two years and fined.

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