PMD Rider Sentenced to 12-Week Jail After Hitting Cyclist Who Died from her Injuries

On 20 May (Thursday), an e-scooter rider who was riding a non-compliant device when it hit an elderly cyclist in 2019, has been sentenced to 12 weeks’ jail. 

The elderly cyclist eventually lost her life due to fatal injuries. 

Here’s what happened. 

PMD Rider Sentenced to 12-Week Jail After Hitting Cyclist Who Died from her Injuries

Malaysian Hung Kee Boon, 22, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Madam Ong Bee Eng’s death by performing a rash act. 

He had also admitted to one count of riding a non-compliant personal mobility device (PMD) on a public path, which is an offence under the Active Mobility Act. 

In addition, another charge for riding a PMD that was unregistered had been considered during sentencing. 

According to Principal District Judge Victor Yeo, this was the first case in which a PMD user had caused the death of another person due to rash riding. 

The judge pointed out that Hung’s riding had been “reckless” and he had been riding at “excessive speed”. 

According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Dillon Kok, Hung’s e-scooter had exceeded the lawful limits placed on PMDs in terms of its weight, maximum speed and width. 

Additionally, the DPP shared that Hung had purchased the e-scooter in October 2018, which was well after the restrictions were implemented in May 2018. This meant that Hung knew that the e-scooter was not compliant with regulations and should not have been used on public paths. 

Hung could have faced imprisonment for up to five years and fined for causing death by a rash act. 

Reckless Riding Causing Death of Elderly Cyclist 

On 21 September 2019, Hung was riding the e-scooter on a cycling path near Block 539 Bedok North Street 3.

He had been riding at an approximate speed of between 27km/h and 43km/h.

Despite coming across rumble strips designed to make riders slow down, Hung did not reduce his speed. 

Madam Ong, 64, was riding her bicycle towards a zebra crossing. Hung had noticed her entering the path but did not stop in time due to the high speed at which he was riding. 

Madam Ong was thrown to the ground when the front of Hung’s e-scooter struck her bicycle.

She was found unconscious and bleeding from her head by passers-by. 

Both Hung and Madam Ong were sent to the hospital. Madam Ong sustained multiple injuries, including to her brain, ribs and face. 

She eventually went into a coma and passed away four days later.

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