SINGAPORE — A full-time national serviceman who collided into a six-year-old boy with his electric scooter at East Coast Park was fined the maximum S$2,500 on Wednesday (July 17).

Sachiv Raj Verma, a 20-year-old Singaporean currently serving his National Service, admitted to one count of causing hurt by a negligent act.

The incident happened on March 22 this year, at about 8pm along a cycling path at East Coast Park, in front of a Starbucks cafe. Sachiv was riding his e-scooter on the path – which was wet from an earlier rain shower – behind the boy, who was playing with his kick scooter.

When the boy swerved directly in front of Sachiv, Sachiv did not keep a proper lookout and collided into him. Both of them lost their balance and fell to the ground.

The boy’s father rushed to check on his son, and called the police for help. Sachiv also stopped to help.

The boy suffered a cut on his forehead and abrasions on his cheek and foot, and was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital where he was given seven days of medical leave. An appointment was also scheduled with the hospital’s plastic surgery team.

Sachiv suffered abrasions on his elbows and knees.

In mitigation, Sachiv told District Judge Eddy Tham that he felt “very sorry for the boy’s injuries” and that he hoped the boy has fully recovered.

“This incident has affected me emotionally and taught me to be more responsible and become more cautious about the safety of all… I pray and request that this incident doesn’t come in the way of my academic career,” he added.

For causing hurt by a negligent act that endangered the personal safety of others, he could have been jailed up to six months, fined up to S$2,500, or both.