Actor Chen Hanwei (pic) has been accused by a cyclist for not signalling when he drove into his apartment complex, causing the cyclist to fall in a minor accident last week.
A teacher identified only as Zhuo told Shin Min Daily News that he was riding a bicycle at Irrawaddy Road in Balestier when the incident happened on the afternoon of Aug 8.
“I was riding on the far left lane at the time,” he told Shin Min. “I rode on the left for safety as I have travelled on that road before and there were quite a few cars.”
He recounted that he was cycling straight ahead on the day of the accident, and there was a car in front of him.
“The car suddenly slowed down, then turned left and prepared to drive into a condominum,” Zhuo said. “I couldn’t stop in time and hit the left side of the car. I lost my balance and fell off the bike.”
He realised that the driver was well-known Mediacorp artiste Chen Hanwei after the actor left the car and came over to him.
“He didn’t apologise at the time, but just kept asking me if I was fine,” Zhuo said.
Chen, 54, told Shin Min that he got out of the car immediately to check on the cyclist and call the police.
Zhuo said that Chen did not signal at that time, so he had no idea that the actor was going to turn left. Chen admitted to Shin Min that he did not signal, but he had slowed down while turning into his apartment complex.
According to photos provided by Zhuo to Shin Min, the cyclist suffered bruises on his right arm and cuts on his left leg.
Zhuo said that he wanted to resolve the issue privately, but Chen did not admit responsibility and was unwilling to exchange contact information.
However, Chen said that he suggested calling the police after checking on Zhuo, but the cyclist left first.
“I saw that he wasn’t wearing a helmet, so I asked him if he was fine and if there was any injury,” Chen said. “I suggested calling the police after he kept recording (the whole interaction). But he went off when I called the police, even leaving his bike on the road.”
Zhuo said he was in a hurry and therefore left the scene first.
“I did report the incident later,” he said.
Chen said that he later told the police that he was willing to take responsibility if it was his fault.
The police said that they were alerted to an accident involving a car and bicycle at 4.20pm on Aug 8. A 33-year-old male cyclist suffered minor injuries but did not seek medical assistance. Police investigations are ongoing. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
