Hit-and-run motorist killed pedestrian while still under driving ban


Police managed to track him down after the front licence plate of the vehicle was recovered at the accident scene. -- PHOTO: ST

A HIT-AND-RUN motorist who caused the death of a pedestrian in Chinatown was speeding and driving under an 18-month driving ban, a court heard on Thursday.

After hitting Madam Pang Hong Koon, 79, along Eu Tong Sen Street on Nov 16 last year , Charles Lee Cheow Loong, 30, stopped his BMW some distance away before driving off without rendering any help.

He parked the car at the basement carpark of Balestier Towers at Balestier Road.

Police managed to track him down after the front licence plate of the vehicle was recovered at the accident scene.

A district court heard that Lee, an undischarged bankrupt, who runs a pub with a friend, had bought the car for $20,000 from a friend, Mr Kelris Lim Chuan Keat, but did not transfer ownership.

He pleaded guilty to causing the death of Madam Pang by doing a rash act - speeding at 69-78 kmh above the 50kmh speed limit and failing to slow down and keep a proper lookout when approaching a traffic light signal - at about 6.40am that day.

He also admitted to four other charges - driving under disqualification, failing to render assistance, removing his vehicle without lawful authority and driving without insurance coverage.

Two other charges will be considered when he is sentenced later this month.

Lawyer Alan Moh asked that the case be adjourned to prepare a mitigation plea and to enable his client to hand over his pub business to another person.

District Judge Roy Neighbour adjourned the case to Nov 23.