A 28-year-old Malaysian man, Pua Yui Loon, was sentenced to three years and ten months in jail after a fatal hit-and-run accident on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) in Singapore. The incident occurred in the early hours of February 6, when Pua, driving at an extreme speed of 141km/h, collided with a motorcycle, killing its driver, Joshua Chiam Chee Wai, 22, and injuring the pillion rider, Diyana Rahim, 23. Pua fled the scene and was later arrested on February 7 when he attempted to re-enter Singapore.
Background
Pua had driven from Malaysia to Singapore on February 5, arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint around 2pm. He then proceeded to his workplace, a lounge bar in Geylang, where he worked as a cashier. Between 9pm and midnight, Pua consumed beer with customers before leaving the bar around 1am. He dropped a colleague off at Paya Lebar and continued his journey back to Malaysia alone.
Speeding along BKE
Pua travelled along Paya Lebar Road and the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) before reaching the BKE. According to a forensic scientist from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Pua was driving at an average speed of at least 141km/h, significantly exceeding the 90km/h speed limit on that stretch of the BKE.
Side-swiped motorcycle
While speeding along the rightmost lane, Pua attempted to overtake Chiam’s motorcycle from the right. Despite slowing down slightly, Pua collided with the motorcycle, causing it to overturn and crash. Both Chiam and Diyana were wearing helmets, and toxicology reports confirmed that Chiam had no alcohol or drugs in his system.
Chiam passed away, Diyana injured
After the collision, Pua continued his journey to Malaysia without stopping. Chiam was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, while Diyana, who was conscious but injured, was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. She suffered a right elbow wound and multiple abrasions.
Pua arrested on Feb. 7
Pua left Singapore around 1:25am and parked his car at his condominium in Johor Bahru. The next afternoon, he returned to Singapore via a private hailing vehicle and a public bus. Upon arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint at 3:20pm, he was detained and subsequently arrested by Singapore traffic police.
Jailed on Sep. 10
On September 10, Pua was sentenced to three years and ten months in jail and disqualified from driving for ten years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death. The judge noted several aggravating factors, including Pua’s consumption of alcohol, although no alcohol level could be established as he had fled the scene. Pua faced up to eight years in jail for each count of dangerous driving causing death.
