A man who hurried to catch a bus by dashing across a three-lane road, regardless of an approaching motorcyclist just meters away, has been sentenced to three weeks in jail.
Hu Zhangwen, a 48-year-old Chinese national and woodcrafter specializing in wooden dolls, received his sentence on Friday (September 8) after pleading guilty to causing harm through a reckless act that endangered human life.
The court heard that on the evening of February 28, 2022, Hu had finished work and was en route to his home. His destination was a bus stop along Yishun Avenue 1, where he intended to catch a bus to Khatib MRT Station.
Spotting the approaching bus at around 8:25 PM, Hu swiftly crossed from his position to the central divider, then proceeded to dash across the three-lane road. The prosecution noted that he was jaywalking and did not have the right of way.
A 54-year-old Malaysian man, the victim, was riding his motorcycle in the second lane. As Hu crossed, he saw the motorcycle only 2 to 3 meters away but chose to continue, fully aware of the potential danger.
The victim honked his horn and swerved his motorcycle to avoid hitting Hu directly but ended up colliding with Hu’s backpack. The collision caused the motorcycle to skid, leading to the victim falling off his bike.
Subsequently, the victim was hospitalized with fractures to his arm, shoulder, and wrist. He underwent two surgeries, wore an arm sling, spent 12 days in the hospital, and was granted 74 days of hospitalization leave.
The accident resulted in Hu’s backpack breaking, and the victim’s motorcycle was scratched.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sean Teh requested a jail term of four to eight weeks, emphasizing the harm inflicted on the victim, who suffered at least three fractures, and the potential for “significant harm” if other vehicles had been present.
He pointed out that Hu had knowingly disregarded traffic rules by jaywalking across a dual carriageway, even as the motorcycle was in close proximity.
In contrast, Defense lawyer Liaw Jin Poh sought the maximum fine of S$5,000, highlighting the uniqueness of the case. He stated that there were no analogous precedents for a pedestrian running across the road and causing an accident of this nature.
Liaw argued that Hu was a worker in Singapore attempting to return home and had been in a hurry when the accident occurred, albeit while jaywalking.
He described the incident as a “freak accident,” comparing it to an analogy of a lawyer with a bulky backpack running up a crowded escalator and accidentally hitting someone when making a slight turn.
Liaw contended that this was a rare occurrence, with no reported cases of a pedestrian running across with a backpack causing an accident like this.
He asserted that his client should not be incarcerated due to this unforeseeable event and suggested a fine of S$5,000, noting that the maximum fine for jaywalking was only S$500.
Ultimately, the judge, District Judge Teoh Ai Lin, concluded that each case depends on its unique circumstances. She acknowledged that Hu’s reckless actions while jaywalking and disregarding traffic rules had caused significant harm to the victim, justifying the imposition of a jail sentence.
For causing harm through a reckless act endangering human life, Hu could have faced a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both. CNA
