Taxi driver convicted of dangerous driving after dragging elderly woman under cab

A 70-year-old taxi driver has been found guilty on three charges, including dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, after hitting an elderly woman pushing a cart in Tsuen Wan earlier this year and dragging her dozens of meters under his vehicle.

The incident occurred on January 7 at the junction of Sha Tsui Road and Luen Yan Street.

Magistrate Raymond Wong Kwok-fai at Sha Tin Magistrates' Court ruled that driver Yu Wai-shing must have seen the victim, Lau, directly in front of him as he turned right at low speed in good weather and bright conditions.

Yu claimed his view was blocked by the vehicle's A-pillar and side mirror, mistaking the woman and her cart full of rubbish bags for garbage after running over her.

However, the magistrate cited expert evidence that slight head movement would have cleared the obstruction and noted that a timely brake could have prevented the accident.

The court found it inconceivable that Yu failed to notice the significant difference in weight and feel between a human body and rubbish as the woman was dragged for 14 seconds over tens of meters.

His failure to stop or report the incident further undermined his defense.

The victim suffered severe injuries requiring three months of hospitalization.

Defense lawyers sought leniency by referencing a previous case where the same magistrate sentenced an off-duty police inspector convicted of similar dangerous driving to 240 hours of community service.

The magistrate rejected the comparison, declined to order a community service report, and remanded Yu in custody until sentencing on January 6.