Police have arrested a 51 year-old man who is suspected to be involved in a hit-and-run accident which occurred early yesterday morning at the signalized cross-junction of Hougang Avenue 2 and Upper Serangoon Road.

On 15 July 2010, at about 1.40 am, an accident involving a car and a motorcycle occurred at the said cross junction. After the collision, the car driver did not stop but instead fled and abandoned his car at a nearby bus stop. As a result of the accident, the motorcyclist, a 19 year-old male youth, sustained multiple fractures while his pillion, a 23 year-old woman, sustained minor injuries. Both were conveyed to Changi General Hospital. The 19 year-old youth subsequently passed away at the hospital at 4.40 pm that day.

Following the accident, Traffic Police worked quickly to establish the identity of the driver. The driver was subsequently placed under arrest by noon the same day. Investigations are on-going.

Traffic Police would like to remind motorists who are involved in accidents where any party is injured that they 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 an offence under Sec 84 of the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 276. 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 two years.

Commander of Traffic Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Ng, commended his officers for their good work and quick action in tracking down the car driver within a short period. He said “A driver who is involved in an accident must stop to render necessary assistance to any injured person as it could make a difference between life and death. Failure to do so would be very irresponsible. Such acts will not be condoned and offenders can expect to be punished severely under the law.”