Driver who fled to Malaysia after BKE hit-and-run that killed motorcyclist handed multiple charges

Shaffiq Alkhatib
The Straits Times
February 9, 2024

A motorist, allegedly behind a fatal hit-and-run accident along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) on Feb 6, was charged with causing a motorcyclist’s death by driving in a dangerous manner.

Pua Yui Loon, 27, a Malaysian, allegedly fled to Malaysia after the crash and was arrested on Feb 7 when he tried to enter Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint.

Besides one count of causing the death of Mr Joshua Chiam Chee Wai, 22, by dangerous driving, Pua was, on Feb 9, handed four other charges linked to the tragedy.

Pua was charged with one count of causing grievous hurt to Mr Chiam’s pillion rider, Ms Siti Noor Diyana Abdul Rahim, 23, by dangerous driving.

He had allegedly failed to stop after the accident. He is also said to have failed to render assistance to her, and was handed another charge for failing to report the accident within 24 hours.

Police said in a statement on Feb 8 that shortly before the crash, Mr Chiam was riding a motorcycle along the BKE towards Woodlands while Ms Siti was his pillion rider.

Pua allegedly collided with Mr Chiam’s vehicle, and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ms Siti, who suffered serious injuries, was rushed to hospital. Court documents did not describe her injuries.

Police said with the help of video footage from witnesses, the Land Transport Authority, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and police cameras, Traffic Police officers and the ICA identified the driver’s identity.

Police did not say why he returned to Singapore.

On Feb 9, Pua was ordered to be remanded at Bedok Police Division and his case has been adjourned to Feb 16.

This fatal accident was one of several in the last few weeks.

On Feb 2, a 19-year-old motorcyclist died following an accident involving an SBS Transit bus and a lorry. The police said a 35-year-old male lorry driver was helping with investigations.

On Jan 30, a 12-year-old schoolgirl was killed after a van struck her in Yuan Ching Road in Jurong. The van driver, a 23-year-old man, was arrested for careless driving causing death, said the police.

On Jan 23, a four-year-old girl was killed after a car hit her in the River Valley area. She was on her way home from school. The police said a 40-year-old woman was arrested under suspicion of careless driving causing death.

According to police data released in September 2023, traffic accidents claimed the lives of 71 people in Singapore in the first half of 2023, a 57.8 per cent jump from the 45 killed in the same period in 2022.

Among the fatalities in the first half of 2023, almost half, or 32, were motorcyclists and pillion riders, up from 25 in the same period in 2022.

In all there were 1,834 accidents involving motorcyclists in the first half of 2023, an increase from 1,751 in the same period in 2022.