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Driving ban, $9,000 fine over death of sports icon
By Elena Chong COURT CORRESPONDENT
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110208/ST_IMAGES_ECISKANDAR09-L00.jpg
A SPEEDING driver who caused the death of athletics legend Tan Eng Yoon was spared jail yesterday.
Mohammed Iskandar Ariffin was fined $9,000 and banned from driving for five years for hitting the 82-year-old former Olympic sprinter and triple jumper.
Mr Tan, president of the Singapore Olympians Association, was hit while crossing the road after attending morning mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit at Upper Thomson Road. He died in hospital about 21/2 hours later.
Iskandar, 33, had been driving his car at 70kmh to 75kmh, above the 60kmh speed limit. The safety supervisor pleaded guilty to causing death by failing to keep a proper lookout.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wong Woon Kwong said Mr Tan was alone at the time of the accident on Jan 30 last year, and there were no pedestrian crossings within 50m. Iskandar failed to spot Mr Tan, who had crossed the first two lanes and was in the far right lane when the car hit him. Mr Wong said Iskandar failed to slow down or apply emergency brakes.
Iskandar's lawyer, Mr Noor Mohamed Marican, said his client did not know where Mr Tan came from because the accident happened so suddenly.
He said the case had caused a lot of stress for his client and his family. He added that Mr Tan was a 'a legend' whose death affected people all over Singapore. 'There was extensive news coverage of the victim on television, in the newspapers and the Internet.'
Iskandar, he said, blamed himself partly for the loss of a great man. For months, he could not work or carry out his daily routine without breaking down.
He said his client apologises to the victim's family. Iskandar paid $4,000 yesterday and will pay the rest in a month. He could have been jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000 or both.
Mr Tan set a national triple jump record in 1955 that stood for 32 years, and competed in the triple jump and 100m at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. As national track and field coach from 1958 to 1970, he groomed the 'Golden Generation', including sprinter C. Kunalan.
By Elena Chong COURT CORRESPONDENT
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110208/ST_IMAGES_ECISKANDAR09-L00.jpg
A SPEEDING driver who caused the death of athletics legend Tan Eng Yoon was spared jail yesterday.
Mohammed Iskandar Ariffin was fined $9,000 and banned from driving for five years for hitting the 82-year-old former Olympic sprinter and triple jumper.
Mr Tan, president of the Singapore Olympians Association, was hit while crossing the road after attending morning mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit at Upper Thomson Road. He died in hospital about 21/2 hours later.
Iskandar, 33, had been driving his car at 70kmh to 75kmh, above the 60kmh speed limit. The safety supervisor pleaded guilty to causing death by failing to keep a proper lookout.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wong Woon Kwong said Mr Tan was alone at the time of the accident on Jan 30 last year, and there were no pedestrian crossings within 50m. Iskandar failed to spot Mr Tan, who had crossed the first two lanes and was in the far right lane when the car hit him. Mr Wong said Iskandar failed to slow down or apply emergency brakes.
Iskandar's lawyer, Mr Noor Mohamed Marican, said his client did not know where Mr Tan came from because the accident happened so suddenly.
He said the case had caused a lot of stress for his client and his family. He added that Mr Tan was a 'a legend' whose death affected people all over Singapore. 'There was extensive news coverage of the victim on television, in the newspapers and the Internet.'
Iskandar, he said, blamed himself partly for the loss of a great man. For months, he could not work or carry out his daily routine without breaking down.
He said his client apologises to the victim's family. Iskandar paid $4,000 yesterday and will pay the rest in a month. He could have been jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000 or both.
Mr Tan set a national triple jump record in 1955 that stood for 32 years, and competed in the triple jump and 100m at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. As national track and field coach from 1958 to 1970, he groomed the 'Golden Generation', including sprinter C. Kunalan.
