• Ong Boon Chuan collided with a motorcyclist after driving against the flow of traffic
• But Ong fled the scene and headed home before going to Resorts World Sentosa
• The victim suffered serious injuries and was given more than a year of hospitalisation leave

SINGAPORE — After driving against the flow of traffic for several seconds and colliding with a motorcyclist, Ong Boon Chuan fled the scene and lied to traffic police officers that he would surrender himself.

His victim suffered serious injuries, including long-term issues with pain, and had to undergo extensive medical procedures. 

The motorcyclist was ultimately given more than a year of hospitalisation leave, and still struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression.

Ong, 50, was jailed 10 months and four weeks on Thursday (July 29). 

He was also fined $1,000 and will be disqualified from driving for seven years after his release from prison.

The Singaporean pleaded guilty to one charge each of causing grievous hurt to Mr Jagdip Singh Chahll by a rash act, failing to stop after an accident and failing to render assistance. 

Two other road traffic offences were taken into consideration for sentencing.

The court heard that on Sept 7 in 2019, Ong drove against the flow of traffic along Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 for at least nine seconds. Court documents did not state his reason for doing so, but the weather was clear and dry at the time.

Mr Jagdip, then aged 46, was riding on the same lane. Ong did not stop or slow down and ultimately crashed into the motorcyclist.

Mr Jagdip was flung off his motorcycle, which immediately caught fire. In order to avoid a further collision, a car behind Mr Jagdip had to quickly swerve into the next lane against the flow of traffic.

Footage of the accident from Ong’s in-car camera was played in court.

He drove off almost immediately, heading home to park his car before taking a taxi to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

The police eventually found his vehicle at the open-air car park near a public housing block in Bukit Panjang where he lived.

Two hours after the accident, traffic police officers managed to contact him and asked him to surrender to the authorities. He agreed to do so but could not be contacted later.

He stayed at RWS till past midnight and went home at 3am.

He turned himself in only two days after the accident, when police officers visited his home to speak to his family.

IMMEDIATE NEED FOR SURGERY

After the accident, Mr Jagdip was taken to the National University Hospital. He had to be immediately rushed into surgery due to his injuries.

He underwent multiple procedures for several fractures, including to his pelvis.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Yeow Xuan told the court that Mr Jagdip also sustained “neurological deficits including decreased sensation and movement in his left foot and toe due to this injury”. 

Mr Jagdip continues to experience pain in his right leg that worsens when he sits and stands for long periods.

He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from nightmares and a fear of crossing the road. He was also given at least 513 days of hospitalisation leave.

“The victim will require continued care and rehabilitation, and his issues with pain control and decreased mobility may be long term,” DPP Yeow added.

For the most serious charge of causing grievous hurt by a rash act, Ong could have been jailed for up to four years or fined up to S$10,000, or both.