'Selfless leader of our community': Tow truck driver dies after Kallang accident, man who fled the scene charged
The car driver was on the run from the law, with outstanding charges including assault.
A 57-year-old tow truck driver has died, with a car driver arrested and charged in the wake of a hit-and-run accident in Kallang a week ago.
The driver passed on Aug 25, a day before Muhammad Ashik Abdullah, 33, was identified and arrested. According to The Straits Times, he was charged on Aug 27 with multiple offences, including causing death by driving in a dangerous manner.
Ashik was reportedly on the run at the time of the crash, facing previous charges including assault. Just four days after the hit-and-run, he is also said to have committed another offence.
'Selfless leader of our community'
Chairperson of the People's Action Party's (PAP) Hougang SMC branch Marshall Lim paid tribute to the deceased driver, named Patrick, in a heartfelt Instagram post.
Mr Lim called his death a "profound loss" to his family, friends and the Hougang community he served. He said that he had visited Patrick in the hospital last weekend, hoping he would recover so they could talk again.
"He is a devoted husband, a filial son, a caring father, a steadfast brother, and a selfless leader of our community," he wrote.
Car driver on the run from other charges
Ashik was arrested on Aug 26 and charged a day later with offences including causing death by dangerous driving.
Citing court documents, ST reported that Ashik was already on the run from the law when the accident occurred.
He had failed to return to court while out on bail on May 23, after being charged in 2024 for allegedly flinging a photo frame out of a Woodlands HDB block window and slapping a woman in a unit on Jun 8 2024.
A warrant of arrest was issued against him.
On Aug 20, Ashik allegedly drove dangerously along Lavender Street towards Balestier Road at about 10pm. He is accused of losing control of his vehicle and colliding into the rear of a tow truck, causing it to flip on its side.
Car driver fled and reoffended
After fleeing the scene, Ashik allegedly reoffended four days later.
On Aug 24 at around 7.20am, he reportedly drove a car in Woodlands while another man was holding on to one of its windows, causing the man to suffer abrasions to his right thigh and elbow.
Ashik was arrested the next day and his case will be mentioned again on Sept 3.
Causing another person's death by driving in a dangerous manner carries a jail term of up to eight years.