SINGAPORE – While reversing a lorry without paying attention, a construction company driver hit a gate in Tuas, causing the attached wall to collapse and kill a man who was walking by at the time.

On Sept 12, Ashokan Santhoshsivam, 24, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, as well as not having the requisite licence to drive the lorry.

Ashokan was sentenced to eight months’ jail, fined $800 and disqualified from driving for eight years from his date of release.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Chye Jer Yuan said the incident happened on May 12, 2024.

At around 2.50am that morning, Ashokan and two others left their dormitory for supper. After realising the food stall was closed, Ashokan drove them back despite having a Class 3 driving licence, not a Class 4, which is required for driving a lorry.

When the men reached their dormitory at Tech Park Crescent, Ashokan reversed the lorry without due care and attention, hitting a gate.

As a result, the attached wall collapsed on a pathway, killing Zaw Lin Tun, a 34-year-old Burmese man who happened to be walking by.

Mr Zaw was a construction worker at the same company as Ashokan. An autopsy report listed head and neck injuries as the cause of death.

Another man walking nearby also suffered injuries to his leg.

The prosecutor said the lorry did not have an in-vehicle camera installed and there was no video footage of the accident.

Mr Chye urged the court to impose a jail term of nine to 10½ months, a fine of $1,000 and a disqualification from driving for eight years.

The prosecutor said: “He had driven the lorry for a distance with passengers, knowing that he did not have the requisite driving licence. By driving the lorry without an insurance policy, the accused exposed victims or potential victims of traffic accidents to be left without any compensation.”