Police investigations reveal Dr Ionescu was driver of car

[Alechi]

Police investigations reveal Dr Ionescu was driver of car that hit 3 people in Dec

By Shaffiq Alkhatib, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 27 January 2010 1430 hrs

 

 

 

SINGAPORE: Police investigations have revealed that Romanian diplomat, Dr Silviu Ionescu, was the driver of a car that was involved in a hit-and-run accident on December 15 last year.

 

The accident resulted in the death of 30-year-old Singapore permanent resident, Tong Kok Wai, and injured two others.

 

Deputy Principal Senior State Counsel Lau Wing Yum told the Coroner's Court on Wednesday that the state will "lead evidence that 49-year-old Dr Ionescu is criminally concerned in causing Mr Tong's death".

 

The court heard that the car from the Romanian Embassy hit Mr Tong and another pedestrian, 24-year-old Bong Hwee Haw, as they were crossing the road at a traffic junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bangkit Road, at around 3.10am on December 15.

 

Instead of stopping, the car sped off. It hit 18-year-old Muhammad Haris Abu Talib at the next controlled junction.

 

Mr Lau told the State Coroner Victor Yeo that the traffic lights were in favour of the pedestrians in both instances.

 

Mr Lau also said that Dr Ionescu made a 999 call about 30 minutes after the accidents to report that the car, a black Audi, had been stolen. Police investigations, however, revealed that the car wasn't stolen.

 

The vehicle was recovered at around 11am that day, locked and abandoned at 21 Sungei Kadut Avenue.

 

Mr Lau said the right side of the car front windscreen was smashed. The front bonnet and the driver's door were dented.

 

Dr Ionescu left Singapore for Romania on December 18 - as he said that he was seeking treatment for health problems.

 

All three pedestrians who were involved in the accidents were sent to the National University Hospital.

 

However, Mr Tong, who suffered fractures to his right leg and skull, succumbed to his injuries and died on Christmas Day - 10 days after the accident. His widow, Yenny Young, has engaged prominent criminal lawyer, Subhas Anandan.

 

Mr Bong has engaged a team led by N Srinivasan from Hoh Law Corporation. He wants to be compensated for the injuries he sustained.

 

Mr Srinivasan told reporters that his client, who has already returned to Sarawak, incurred hospital bills amounting to nearly S$50,000.

 

The pre-inquiry conference for this case will be held on February 24.

 

The coroner's inquiry will begin on March 3. At least 35 witnesses will be called at the inquiry.

 

 

[Kanchelsk]

a K.I.V case la... [smash]

m.i.w will remain silent for the months to come.. [sleeping]

[Iisterry]

"What happened was very bad."

 

"Let's move on."

[Nullifi3d]

It took them that long to determine. Hahahha.... Half the people in Singapore already suspected it was him.

[Ahtong]

Wow, what suprising news.

 

They might as well tell us the sun rise from the east every morning or the ground gets wet when it rains.

[Alechi]

Now waiting for Romania to respond officially ?

[Teowilliam]

but i thought the law cannot do much to diplomats?

[Hermitage]

Well, pretty obvious news but at least it's official now. Now we know for sure, we must get him back to stand trial. How ah?

[Alechi]

The indications will be clearer only after the coroner's inquiry and subsequently, official reply by Romania.

[David]

It took them that long to determine. Hahahha.... Half the people in Singapore already suspected it was him.

 

Half of Singapore know...you and I included. The problem is the Romanian embrassdoor do not know you and I.

[Redplanet]

Maybe before court action, karma would have already befallen on that arse...

[Yuan]

The indications will be clearer only after the coroner's inquiry and subsequently, official reply by Romania.

 

In my opinion, it is of not much use.

 

The diplomat is back in his native land and not in our shores.

 

This is notwithstanding that he is entitled to immunity privileges in Singapore.

[Metalslug2]

simple. SG has to write in to ask for diplomat to be returned to SG to face trial. plus waive diplomatic immunity.

 

if Romania refuse then let it be their official response.

 

Sad to give up a whole country for 1 guy

[Renegade777]

 

I think we can do something lah. It is whether we want or not and how far we want to go. If that guy really dont want to return to face the music, we should sent everyone in the Embassy back to their homeland.

 

In addition, anyone from that country should be given a U-turn if they seek to enter Singapore for whatever the purpose. No VISA for them too.

 

This would show we can exert sovereignity and we mean business. A tit for tat if that fellow home country does not want to do anything or assist Singapore to get him back to Singapore.

 

 

[Maroon5]

simply no moral, integrity....stil can b diplomat...lie thru the nose...no wonder the old folks always say heaven no eyes..

[Scoots]

It took them that long to determine. Hahahha.... Half the people in Singapore already suspected it was him.

 

Yeah... and the other half believed it was him.

[Scoots]

In my opinion, it is of not much use.

 

The diplomat is back in his native land and not in our shores.

 

This is notwithstanding that he is entitled to immunity privileges in Singapore.

 

If I am not wrong, imunity is only if he was on conducting business in his official capacity, which I seriously don't see how running people down as part of the job scope of a diplomat.

 

Even if ithat's debatable, unless his country wants to send the message to the rest of the world that they endorse their diplomats to be terrorists in other countries, their government should do the 'polically correct' thing in waiving his immunity.

 

They want to trade their reputaion as a country in exchange for a hit-and-run (maybe even drunk) individual?....Better have some sense than that

Edited January 27, 2010 by Scoots

[Vroomtattat]

Yeah... and the other half believed it was him.

 

Fat b------d hiding under his mommy's skirt liao . . . case close.

 

Move on . . . see diplocar better siam