Former air force chief fined for driving into maid who was pushing toddler in stroller

At the same time, a 44-year-old maid was crossing the road with a toddler in a stroller. The green man signal was lit in their favour.

Goh failed to notice the pair even though they were plainly in his line of sight, the prosecutor said.

While he was not speeding, he could not brake in time and his vehicle struck them.

The woman was flung several metres backwards by the impact. A passer-by called the police.

The maid was taken to hospital with her face bleeding and given 42 days’ of hospitalisation leave. The boy was given outpatient treatment for injuries such as bruising and abrasions.

After being discharged, the maid was on bed rest and had to recuperate at her employer’s mother-in-law’s house as she had difficulty walking and could not climb the stairs in her employer’s house.

Because she remained in pain and was unable to work, her employer had to hire a part-time helper to take over her work.

The victim partially resumed work only about a month after being discharged from hospital.

Her hand and orthopaedic injuries are unlikely to cause permanent disability.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Etsuko Lim sought a fine of S$4,000 to S$5,000 for Goh, along with the mandatory minimum disqualification period of five years.

She noted that Goh had made the right turn instead of waiting in the right-turn pocket, even though the green man signal for pedestrians was lit and the victims had right of way.

“We also note that he was driving at a speed that rendered him unable to brake in time, though there is no evidence that he was speeding,” said Ms Lim.

As this was the only offence-specific culpability factor present, the indicative sentencing range was a fine and or a jail term of up to six months, said the prosecutor.

After factoring in a slight uplift for the injury to the boy, Ms Lim sought a fine of S$4,000 to S$5,000.