A 93-year-old man died in June 2025 after spending 18 months in a vegetative state following a traffic accident in Yishun.
Tan Mieang Hoon was struck by a car while riding his personal mobility aid (PMA) on 19 January 2024. The car driver, 57-year-old Leck Hang Wei, received a six-month prison sentence on 4 August 2025. His driving licence was suspended for five years.
Accident Occurred During Grocery Trip
Tan lived with his wife and a female tenant at Block 749, Yishun Street 72. He rode his PMA to a nearby market to buy groceries for his wife, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
Leck was driving along Yishun Ring Road at about 2pm when he stopped at the junction with Yishun Avenue 5. He waited in the extreme left lane for pedestrians to cross but did not notice Tan on his PMA behind the pedestrians.
Leck turned left onto Yishun Avenue 5 before the traffic light changed to green. He collided with Tan, causing him to fall from his PMA.
Leck got out of his car to assist Tan and called an ambulance. In March 2025, he was charged with driving without due care, causing grievous hurt, and failing to obey traffic signs.
Medical Treatment and Family Care
Tan suffered a brain haemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery for hydrocephalus. Cerebrospinal fluid had accumulated in his brain.
He spent 85 days in hospital and suffered permanent brain damage. His 50-year-old daughter Wei’en was overseas when the accident happened. She learned about it the next day when their tenant informed her that her father had not returned home.
Police initially struggled to identify Tan as he carried only his wallet without identification.
Tan briefly regained consciousness and movement after surgery. His condition deteriorated within a month and he entered a vegetative state.
The family brought him home after nearly three months in hospital. A professional caregiver looked after him during the day. Wei’en and her older sister took turns caring for him at night.
Devoted Family Man
Tan had been the main caregiver for his wife of 60 years. She was diagnosed with dementia six years ago. Despite being in his 90s, he provided daily care and regularly bought groceries and cooked meals.
His 53-year-old son Weiwu, an IT consultant, said his father was family-oriented and romantic. Tan continued writing love letters to his wife and kissed her forehead during birthday celebrations each year after she developed Alzheimer’s.
The family had hoped Tan would recover from his vegetative state. Wei’en said her father’s death was difficult to accept.
Community Involvement
Tan had lived in Yishun for more than 30 years and built close relationships with neighbours. He loved fixing things and often repaired appliances and furniture around the estate for free.
He did volunteer work with his daughter, including collecting and distributing food to people in need.
Court Proceedings
During sentencing, the prosecution noted that Leck had beaten the red light and caused serious injuries.
Leck’s lawyer said his client was deeply sorry and had done his best to assist the victim after the accident. Leck pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving and expressed remorse, asking the judge for a more lenient sentence.
