Founding member of JUMBO Group, 87, charged in accident in which 72-year-old passenger died

SINGAPORE: A founding shareholder of seafood restaurant chain JUMBO Group appeared in court on Wednesday (July 10) charged over a car crash in which his passenger died and another was seriously injured.

Ng Siak Hai, 87, was charged with two counts of careless driving causing death and serious injury.

Well known in the local restaurant scene, Ng founded Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, which he remained the flagship restaurant despite retiring in 2010.

The traffic charges arise from an accident on Nassim Road towards Tanglin Road on the evening of 1 November 2022.

Ng was behind the wheel when he allegedly failed to exercise due care and attention, causing him to lose control of his car.

The car veered left, hit a tree on the side of the road and overturned.

As a result, Mr Ng Thit Hung, a 72-year-old man who was sitting in the front passenger seat, succumbed to his injuries.

Another passenger, 75-year-old Tan Teck Soon, suffered serious injuries.

Ng appeared in court on Wednesday with his lawyer Choo Si Sen. He was offered bail of S$15,000 (US$11,100) and said he would plead guilty.

An appointment has been set for him in August.

For careless and inattentive driving causing death, he could face a prison sentence of up to three years, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

He could face a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both, for careless and inattentive driving causing serious injury.

A driving ban could also be threatened.