A Hong Kong taxi driver has been jailed for eight years and banned from driving for life over a crash that killed two people in 2021.
Mok Pui-wa, 66, appeared at High Court on Thursday morning. He pleaded guilty last month to two counts of manslaughter and four counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The case relates to a traffic accident in Tai Po in August 2021, when Mok lost control of his taxi and rammed into pedestrians, killing a 59-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman. Four others were injured, including a pregnant woman and a four-year-old boy.
Police at the time confirmed that he had run a red light.
Handing down the sentence, Judge Andrew Chan said Mok had sped up while approaching the pedestrian crossing with no indication of halting, The Witness reported.
“Even if the defendant did not deliberately ram into the crowd, it was predictable that the pedestrians’ lives would be in danger or even killed if he accelerated,” Chan said in Cantonese.
He added that it was fortunate that the pregnant woman who was struck was able to give birth.
Chan delivered a starting sentence of 12 years for the manslaughter offence and four years for the dangerous driving offence. Considering his guilty plea, he deducted one-third off the sentences, to be served concurrently, making for a total jail term of eight years.
A ‘good father’
During mitigation ahead of Mok’s sentencing, the defendant’s children said he was a “good father.” Even though they said the family was not considered wealthy, he taught them well and provided a stable environment for them to grow up in.
Chan, however, said that the traffic accident was “disturbing and shocking.” He also cited case details, which stated that the weather on the day was good and the traffic flow was normal. There was nothing wrong with the taxi and Mok passed alcohol and drug tests.
Earlier, the court heard that Mok received his driver’s license in 1977. He was a full-time personal chauffeur and only drove taxis on the side.
Chan added that Kwong Fuk Road, where the crash took place, was an accident blind spot. He recommended that the Transport Department set up cameras to catch drivers running a red light.
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
