Off-duty cop denies asking crash victim to not call police, admits to dangerous driving

An off-duty cop admitted on Tuesday to dangerous driving, hitting a pedestrian while drunk but pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice for he allegedly asked the victim not to report to police. 

The defendant Ho Ka-wing, 27, is currently suspended from duty. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, failing the blood alcohol test, and driving a defective vehicle before judge Ada Yim Shun-yee at the District Court. 

The court earlier heard that around 4 am on May 28, 2022, the car driven by Ho mounted the sidewalk and rammed into Sun Lok Fu Bakery in Cheung Sha Wan, hitting a pedestrian surnamed Chan. Chan subsequently suffered a severe fracture to his right leg with the bone becoming visible. 

Opening the case for the remaining charge, the prosecution said Ho got out of his Tesla after the incident and a recording showed Chan saying: “Call the cops now!” only for Ho to reply: “Can we not call the cops?” 

Chan then said: “How can we not call the cops? You are crazy … This is not about money.” Chan then filed the police report. 

The prosecution added that Ho had offered to pay Chan whatever he wanted as long as he wouldn’t call the cops. While waiting for the ambulance to come, Ho kept asking if Chan could forgive him. 

Ho had also asked if Chan could say “other things” when the police arrive, the prosecution said. 

The court heard that as the police arrived at the scene, Ho said he had had five to six glasses of whiskey with some friends at a bar. 

He became emotional after being arrested and soon passed out. As he was sent to hospital, a test found that there was no less than 182mg of alcohol in every 100mg of his blood. 

Chan was later diagnosed with an open fracture and had to undergo orthopedic surgery. 

Judge Yim ruled that Ho has a case to answer and Chan chose not to testify nor summon any witnesses. A verdict will be handed down on Friday.