*Warning: Readers may find some of the detailed descriptions in the content of this article disturbing.
SINGAPORE — Shuttle bus driver Phee Peng Yeow, 69, had just picked up an elderly woman from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) when he collided into the rear of another bus.
The impact caused the 67-year-old woman to lurch forward and hit a metal railing, and the bridge pads of her spectacles pierced her right eye.
She felt liquid and blood dripping from her right eye and Phee sent her to the Accident and Emergency department of SGH.
Four years after the accident, the woman still suffers from sub-optimal vision in her right eye and requires regular management and follow-up. The damage to the optic nerves caused by the accident, which resulted in glaucoma, is permanent.
Phee was jailed for four days on Monday (28 February) after he pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous hurt to the victim through a negligent act. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.
Sudden collision
On the day of the incident on 23 January 2018, the Singaporean man was manning a bus plying shuttle services to and from SGH. The elderly woman had boarded the bus in the morning after an appointment at SGH and was seated behind Phee.
The weather was fine, road surface was dry, visibility was clear and traffic flow was moderate.
Phee drove towards Outram Road. He ended up behind another bus along Outram Road towards Central Expressway, near the bus stop close to the Health Sciences Authority mortuary. This bus was moving at a slow speed as there were road works and it was approaching a pedestrian crossing.
However, Phee failed to maintain a safe braking distance from the other bus. He collided into the rear of the other bus and the impact flung the victim forward. She had unbuckled her seat belt right before the collision, as she was preparing to alight from the bus at the bus stop. Her face hit the metal railing causing the bridge pads of her spectacles to piece her right eye.
The victim, in shock and pain, was unable to see from her right eye, but could feel a substance dripping from the injured eye, which was also bleeding. She screamed for help.
Phee alighted the vehicle immediately to exchange contacts with the other bus driver. He then returned to the bus and the victim asked him to send her to the hospital. Phee drove her to the A & E department of SGH.
Eye permanently damaged
The victim underwent four major eye surgeries. She still has impaired vision and requires regular management and follow-up, as well as daily topical eyedrops.
She was given 97 days of hospitalisation leave and and 12 days of medical leave between 2018 and 2019. She was unable to follow her ordinary pursuits for this period.
Phee and the other bus driver lodged a police report on the day of the accident. The victim only lodged a police report on 11 September 2020.
Phee’s lawyer Ivan Tay said that his client was retired and caring for an elderly mother. Phee was just performing his duties as a bus driver when the accident occurred. He then reacted responsibly and lodged a police report that day, said Tay, who sought a fine for his client.
For causing grievous hurt with a negligent act, he could have been jailed up to two years, or fined up to $5,000, or both.
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