Police arrested a 54-year-old man today for his involvement in a hit-and-run traffic accident which occurred last night at the junction of Rochor Canal Road and Bencoolen Street.

On 8 February 2010, at about 11.40 pm, a car hit two pedestrians who were standing on the footway at the junction of Rochor Canal Road and Bencoolen Street. After hitting the pedestrians, the driver did not stop but instead fled the scene. As a result of the accident, the first pedestrian, a 19-year-old female, sustained facial injury and abrasions, while the second pedestrian, a 21-year-old male, sustained head injuries and slight abrasions. Both were conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where they were warded.

Police found some debris, including parts of a wing mirror, belonging to a Mazda 3 car model, at the scene. Using the evidence, Traffic Police mounted an islandwide operation this morning to hunt down the driver concerned. The officers' efforts paid off when a Mazda car with a damaged wing mirror was spotted at a workshop in Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2A. Follow-up investigation on the ownership of the car led Police to arrest the suspect at about 5 pm.

Acting Commander of Traffic Police, Superintendent Poh Lye Hin, commended his officers for their dedication and excellent efforts in tracking down the vehicle within a short period, leading to the subsequent arrest of the culprit. He says, "Motorists who are involved in accidents where any party is injured should never leave the accident scene. Motorists must stop and render necessary assistance such as calling for an ambulance to attend to the injured party. Failure to do so is a serious offence. If convicted, the offender is liable to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years."