The helper accompanying the four-year-old girl who died in the fatal River Valley accident earlier this year has been charged with causing grievous hurt by a rash act.
According to The Straits Times (ST), the helper Lilyana Eva did not hold the girl’s hand as she crossed the unsignalised junction.
A car subsequently ran over the girl — Zara Mei Orlic — who died later that day.
Source: Michelle Runagall Orlic on LinkedIn
If guilty of the charge, the helper faces up to four years’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
A coroner’s inquiry earlier this year revealed that Lilyana jaywalked Zara and her two-year-old sister across Institution Hill in River Valley.
This is despite the girl’s parents reminding her not to cross Institution Hill, as it would be jaywalking.
Zara had been walking ahead of Lilyana, who held onto Zara’s two-year-old sister and their school bags.
The junction had no traffic light, and Zara ran across the road after Lilyana checked the road and told her it was safe to cross.
From the driver’s perspective, the girl had suddenly appeared between two stationary vehicles along the road. A traffic police officer called in as a witness said the girl was visible for one second on the in-car camera before the collision.
Source: Google Maps
Subsequent coroner findings on 12 July revealed that the driver could not have spotted the girl, who was one metre tall and obstructed by one of the stationary vehicles.
During the coroner’s inquiry in June, Lilyana was reportedly still working for the family.
It is unclear whether she is currently still working for the family.
On Wednesday (6 Nov), Lilyana told the court that she intended to engage a lawyer.
The court suggested she apply to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and adjourned the case to 13 Nov, according to Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
If convicted of causing grievous hurt to another person while performing a rash act, Lilyana can be jailed for up to four years, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
Also read: River Valley car accident: Coroner rules that driver couldn’t have seen girl running across road
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Featured image adapted from Michelle Runagall Orlic on LinkedIn and Google Maps.
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