Maserati driver gets jail, fine over hit-and-run accident with elderly man who had fractures

Shaffiq Alkhatib
The Straits Times
Mar 23, 2023

A Maserati driver involved in a hit-and-run accident that saw an elderly pedestrian suffering multiple fractures was sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail and fined $800 on Thursday.

For causing grievous hurt to Mr Foo Kok Kam, 85, while driving in a careless manner, Wong Kim Punn was also disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for five years from his date of release.

Wong, 52, who used to own businesses including one called Fragrant Florist, pleaded guilty in February to multiple charges under the Road Traffic Act for the 2020 accident.

He had been involved in another traffic accident in 2019. According to court documents, he was driving the car at the cross junction of Ophir Road and Victoria Street in December that year when it collided with a cyclist.

At around 11pm on July 9, 2020, Wong was driving without due care and attention along East Coast Road towards Upper East Coast Road when the car struck Mr Foo.

Footage obtained by the prosecution showed Wong’s car hitting the elderly man, who was crossing the road slowly.

He was flung into the air before landing on the ground.

In earlier court proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Chee Ee Ling had said: “The incident location was within 50m of a pedestrian crossing. After the collision, the accused slowed his car down for a while.

“However, he did not stop and proceeded to drive away from the scene without rendering assistance to the victim.”

An eyewitness made a police report, saying that a blue Maserati had knocked down the elderly man.

At around noon on July 10, 2020, Wong also made a police report, stating that he had earlier been driving along East Coast Road when he heard a sound on the right side of his car.

He said that when he reached home, he found that the mirror on the right side was damaged.

Wong’s car was later seized and sent to the Health Sciences Authority, along with Mr Foo’s shorts.

Investigators then discovered that some materials found on Mr Foo’s garment could have originated from the right fender and bonnet of the car.

Mr Foo suffered injuries including fractures to his pelvic area and spine in the accident.

He was given hospitalisation leave of 43 days and had to use a wheelchair for more than two months.

The Straits Times

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