Impact Life Church pastor makes an impact on fellow driver’s life by allegedly closing van door on him

A Singapore court heard on Wednesday, April 13, that a church pastor allegedly caused hurt to an older driver when he declined a challenge to fight along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE).

The Straits Times reported that Daniel Cheo Guan Beng, 46, a pastor with Impact Life Church, is accused of hitting businessman Tay Kin Beng, 60, by closing the latter’s van door, causing it to hit the older man’s forehead and hip.

The alleged road rage incident took place on Jan. 13 last year.

Cheo denies his single charge of voluntarily causing hurt.

Cheo, an Alfa Romeo driver, had signalled for Tay to stop his Renault Kangoo along the expressway and allegedly walked “aggressively” up to Tay.

The pastor was alleged to have pointed his finger at Tay’s nose and called him “chao ah kua” and “chao ah beng”, which are Hokkien terms that roughly mean “effeminate” and “Chinese low-life”.

In his initial police report, Tay said he had accidentally honked at Cheo on the expressway near Farrer Road. He also said in the police report that he saw Cheo brake on purpose in front of his car after that.

However, Tay gave a different testimony in court, saying Cheo did not brake at all, but that his speed was “erratic”.

He also denied Cheo’s lawyer’s accusation that he was tailing Cheo because the front seat passenger had taken photos of his van.

The trial continues on Thursday.

The maximum punishment for voluntarily causing hurt is two years’ jail and a $5,000 fine.

 

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- Belmont Lay