As experienced drivers would tell you, when you drive for long enough, you start to take things for granted.
Some drivers, for example, go on ‘autopilot’ mode while driving, meaning they’re so absorbed with their own thoughts that they don’t even remember how they go to their destination.
But, of course, we should always keep our eyes on the road, as it only takes a second of negligence for someone to get hurt.
In this instance, a couple of people got injured, and one poor dog ended up dying.
Elderly Woman Knocked Down 2 Maids & 2 Dogs
On 14 March, 71-year-old Soh Poh Geok was driving her car along Trevose Crescent towards Plymouth Avenue on a two-lane road.
At the time, two maids – Janet Quisora Valdez and her friend Lorena Marinas Cortez – were walking their dogs.
As there was no footpath on either side of the road, they both walked on the left side of the two-lane road, which was near Adam Road.
At around 5.20pm, Soh was driving towards them and because she failed to keep a proper lookout ahead, crashed into the two domestic helpers from behind.
The helpers were flung onto the grass verge and the dogs were hurt as well.
To her credit, Soh stopped the car and helped the two maids. She said she hadn’t noticed anyone on the road before the accident.
The two maids were conveyed to the hospital as they suffered serious injuries.
Maids Injured, One Dog Loses Life
Ms Valdez, 46, sustained fractures, bruising, and swelling, and had to undergo surgery after the accident. She was given 286 days’ medical leave and is likely to have permanent stiffness in her elbow.
As for Ms Cortez, she suffered fractures to her pelvis and vertebrae and bleeding in her head. She was hospitalised for 22 days and given 61 days of hospitalisation leave.
Max, one of the dogs, sadly died due to the collision.
The other dog, Ruby, sustained injuries to its left hip and underwent surgery. Consequently, it has to undergo weekly hydrotherapy sessions at a vet for the rest of its life, which has already cost its owner more than S$11,000 in medical expenses.
Jailed For 5 Days, Woman Plans to Give Up Driving For Good
Today (2 July), the 71-year-old was sentenced to five days in jail and banned from driving for 18 months.
Soh’s lawyer said she is “wholly embarrassed for her negligent brush with the law” and will “very likely give up driving for good”.
He added that there was a slight bend to the right in the road where the accident occurred, and that the victims appeared to have been jaywalking and encroaching into Soh’s lane.
There was also no evidence that Soh was speeding on the 50kmh-limit road, he said.
The lawyer added that Soh will generally be settling at up to 85% liability for all the victims’ accident claims.
This way, the victims are unlikely to be left out of pocket, he said.
Featured Image: Google Maps
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