Wife tries to take rap for husband in accident that killed woman, 79

A couple stood trial together yesterday after the wife tried to take the blame for her husband's driving that caused the death of a 79-year-old woman.

Wong Cheuk-yee, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of perverting the course of justice in the District Court. Her husband, Yeung Shiu-lung, 29, admitted to the same charge and five driving-related charges.

The accident - which took place in Lam Tin on September 22 last year - claimed the life of Chan Sau-kam, 79.

After the crash, Yeung told a police officer who arrived at the scene that Wong, his wife, had been driving the car.

He said words to the effect that his wife called him immediately after she knocked down the old woman, and he rushed to the scene. Wong also confessed to Yeung's lie.

But other road users who witnessed the accident said they saw Yeung driving the car. At the time, he was subject to an order of disqualification from driving.

The court heard that on the day of the accident, Yeung was driving erratically down On Tin Street in Lam Tin. He narrowly missed hitting a traffic light at Tak Tin junction.