Concrete truck driver sentenced to two weeks jail and five-year driving ban

A year ago, 13-year old cyclist, Nigel Yap Yew Cheong, and his seven-year old sibling, Donavan, died after getting hit by a concrete truck at the junction of Tampines Avenue 9 and Tampines Street 45. For his actions, the driver - Munir Mohd Naim - was sentenced in court yesterday to a two-week jail term along with a five-year driving ban upon his release.

The 57-year old odd job labourer at a sailing club pleaded guilty to causing the death of the brothers as they cycled across the pedestrian crossing. According to The Straits Times, Munir failed to practice enough caution and did not keep a proper lookout when he was making a left turn into Tampines Street 45 from Tampines Avenue 9.

Due to provoking factors, District Judge Tan Boon Heng felt a short jail sentence would be fitting. Furthermore, Munir's lawyer remarked that Munir was remorseful and would have to live with the guilt of the accident.

Ever since the accident, parents of the boys, Mr. Francis Yap and his wife Madam Suliani Ang have moved to a new four-room flat in Choa Chu Kang, and preserve the memories of their boys by displaying their favourite toys on a shelf. While the couple have struggled to rebuild their lives since the accident, the faith and the support from family and friends in church has aided much in the recovery.