Viral Maserati video: NUS prof charged with dangerous driving
A National University of Singapore (NUS) professor has been charged with dangerous driving after a video of his Maserati driving against traffic before intercepting a lorry went viral in September this year.
Henry Yeung Wai Chung, 50, who is listed as Acting Head and Distinguished Professor on the NUS Department of Geography faculty page, was charged with one count of dangerous driving under the Road Traffic Act.
In the State Courts on Wednesday (17 October), Yeung, who was not represented, said that he intends to plead guilty. He also applied for permission to leave Singapore for a work trip.
According to court documents, Yeung was driving along Lorong Chuan towards Braddell Road on 7 September at about 1.15pm when the offence allegedly took place.
A video of his black Maserati mounting a curb and swerving into a lane for incoming traffic was uploaded on Bei Chia Lor Singapore Road’s Facebook page four days later.
The video shows the car avoiding a taxi and another car on the incoming traffic lane before swerving back into the correct lane, where it intercepts a lorry and stops in front of it.
The video has since garnered more than 400,000 views and nearly 5,000 shares.
The Guangzhou-born Yeung, who is a Singaporean, was arrested on 12 September. No injuries were reported from the incident.
He will be back in court on 5 November. If convicted, Yeung can be jailed up to 12 months or fined a maximum $5,000 on a first conviction. His driving license may also be disqualified.
In response to queries from Yahoo News Singapore, an NUS spokesperson said, “We are aware of this traffic incident involving a staff member of the University. As legal proceedings are currently underway, the University is not at liberty to comment on this private matter.
Professor Henry Yeung will continue to carry out his academic duties. Pending completion of the legal proceedings, a Caretaker Head will assist with the day-to-day running of the Department.”
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