Driver arrested after hit-&-run accident in Geylang on 23 March
UPDATE (25 March, 2.15pm): The 21-year-old driver, identified as Zachary Chin Jia Le, was handed a whopping seven charges for the hit-and-run accident in Geylang. You may read the details of his charges below. The article has been updated to reflect the latest information.
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The 21-year-old driver of a car that knocked down two pedestrians in Geylang on Saturday (23 March) has been arrested.
2 people injured after hit-&-run accident in Geylang, police tracking down driver
Footage of the incident showed the car leaving the scene after the collision.
The driver faces multiple charges including driving without a valid licence.
Both pedestrians — a man aged 51 and a woman aged 32 — were conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital conscious.
Police arrest driver who fled Geylang accident scene
According to The Straits Times (ST), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) released a statement regarding the arrest today (25 March).
It said that the driver of the car failed to stop to help the victims and allegedly fled the scene.
SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook
Channel NewsAsia (CNA) later revealed that the driver, Zachary Chin Jia Le, 21, faced seven charges in court on Monday (25 March). They include:
- Driving someone else’s car without consent
- Driving without a valid licence or insurance
- Failing to keep a proper lookout while driving
- Failing to stop after a traffic accident
If he proves guilty of driving without a valid licence, a maximum three-year jail term, S$10,000 fine or both await him.
Chin has previous convictions of driving without a licence as well as without due care and attention in June 2022.
Car was rented since Dec 2023
Lianhe Zaobao reported that the car involved belonged to OZ Car Rental. Company owner Tommy Chen, 40, said the police called him past midnight on Sunday (24 March) informing him of the vehicle’s involvement in a hit-and-run accident.
He promptly provided the necessary details including the renter’s information. The police later found the car abandoned not far from the scene of the accident and towed it away.
Mr Chen told Zaobao that the customer originally rented the car from Dec 2023 till its lease expired in Feb 2024. The latter asked for a one-month extension, only for the accident to happen the next day.
Expressing his commitment to assist the authorities, Mr Chen said: “We will cooperate with police investigations and collect repair fees from the driver.”
CNA stated that traffic police arrested Chin on Sunday (24 March) after identifying him via police cameras and a witness’ footage of the accident.
The court has adjourned his case to April, to give him time to seek counsel. The prosecution will also finish investigations in the meantime.
Road users reminded of traffic rules
In light of the incident, the police reminded all road users of the importance of traffic rules for everyone’s safety.
ST quoted them as saying: “Motorists who are involved in accidents should stop and render assistance, such as calling for an ambulance to provide medical attention to the injured.”
The police added that failure to do so could result in a maximum S$1,000 fine, three months in jail or both.
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Featured image adapted from SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook.
