Initially accused of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, Lim Chai Heng got his charge amended to one of culpable homicide — a charge that will slap heavier penalties should he be convicted.
Last month, the 53-year-old drove his Mercedes against the flow of traffic (at 120km/h, claimed netizens) in the morning peak hour along the Ayer Rajah Expressway, causing a multi-vehicle collision that killed one man and left several others injured.
According to The Straits Times, Lim is now accused of committing culpable homicide. The difference in the charges lie in the intention:
Causing death by reckless or dangerous driving
“Any person who causes the death of another person by the driving of a motor vehicle on a road recklessly, or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition and use of the road, and the amount of traffic which is actually at the time, or which might reasonably be expected to be, on the road, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.”
Culpable homicide
“Whoever causes death by doing an act with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, or with the knowledge that he is likely by such act to cause death, commits the offence of culpable homicide.”
With culpable homicide, Lim now faces the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine. He is currently remanded for psychiatric evaluation at Complex Medical Centre in Changi Prison, where he’ll remain till Jan 24.
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