Jail for driver who drove over leg of special needs woman in accident on church driveway
Monica Cara Tew Lai Yee has also been ordered to compensate the victim with a sum of $19,594.03.
SINGAPORE – While driving to church for Sunday service, a woman knocked down a pedestrian and drove over her leg.
The accident left the victim, a 46-year-old woman with special needs, with fractures to her elbow, knee and orbital bone in her face . She was given 339 days of hospitalisation leave.
On Aug 7, Monica Cara Tew Lai Yee was sentenced to seven days' jail after pleading guilty to causing grievous hurt by a rash or negligent act.
She has also been ordered to compensate the victim with a sum of $19,594.03.
Court documents show that Tew had been driving to the Church of The Holy Spirit at Upper Thomson Road on Aug 18, 2024, to attend the morning mass.
As she approached a junction in the driveway of the church, Tew failed to notice the victim, who was walking along the same path. She then collided into the woman while making a right turn, causing the victim to fall.
Tew's car continued to move forward even after the impact, with her front wheel rolling over the woman's left leg.
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After stopping her car , Tew alighted to help the victim but realised her left leg was still trapped under the vehicle.
She proceeded to move her car forward before stepping out again. The victim was described as bleeding around her mouth and had bruises and swelling on her left leg.
The prosecution told the court that Tew had been driving at a relatively fast speed at a location where regular human traffic was to be expected.
All church visitors have to walk through the same driveway to enter or leave the compound, court documents state.
The Straits Times has asked the church if additional safety measures have been taken at the driveway.
Tew had a slew of prior speeding offences in 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021. She also ran a red traffic stop in 2016.
The victim continues to suffer from intermittent pain on her left knee when walking, and requires a trolley to walk in public. Her medical bills as a result of the collision amounted to more than $19,500.
For causing grievous hurt to another person by performing a negligent act, an offender can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $5,000 or both.
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