Police are looking for the driver of a white Toyota van after a hit-and-run incident in Sengkang that saw the vehicle crash onto a traffic island and narrowly miss two pedestrians.
The incident happened at about 11.50pm on Wednesday, September 30, at the junction of Punggol Road and Compassvale Street. The van was turning from Punggol Road into Compassvale Street when it appeared to lose its line while making the turn.
Video footage of the incident showed two pedestrians waiting at the traffic island as the van moved toward them. The pedestrians appeared to react quickly and jumped out of the vehicle’s path, avoiding what could have been a serious collision.
The van continued onto the traffic island and crashed into a cantilever traffic light. The impact caused the traffic signals mounted on the structure to fall, leaving the damaged equipment on the road.
Rather than remaining at the scene, the van was seen reversing back toward the middle of the junction, where it stopped for several seconds and obstructed traffic.
The driver then drove away toward Anchorvale Street despite the vehicle’s front bumper appearing to be badly damaged and hanging from the front of the van. Police officers arrived after the vehicle had left the area.
Police said efforts are underway to identify and locate the driver. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The crash also involved damage to government property. Under Singapore’s Road Traffic Act, motorists involved in accidents that damage government property are required to lodge an accident report and take reasonable steps to notify the owner of the damaged property.
Failure to take reasonable steps to inform the owner of damaged government property can result in a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to three months for a first offence.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of pedestrian awareness at busy junctions, particularly when vehicles are making turns. In this case, the two pedestrians were able to move away before the van reached the traffic island.
Authorities have not said whether the driver was injured or why the van appeared to lose control while turning. Police have also not disclosed whether any charges have been filed as they continue efforts to trace the driver.
The damaged traffic light and the abandoned vehicle’s condition are expected to form part of the investigation as officers work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the late-night crash.
