Driver in 2024 Tampines chain collision pleads guilty to three charges, admits to running red light
The driver behind a fatal multi-vehicle collision in Tampines in 2024 pleaded guilty on Thursday (6 Aug).
Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 45, admitted to three charges of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing grievous hurt, and dangerous driving causing hurt.
Other charges will be taken into consideration during sentencing.
His guilty plea comes more than two years after the collision on 22 Apr 2024, which killed a 17-year-old student and 57-year-old Norzihan Juwahib.
Admitted to speeding at up to 134kmh and running red light
On the morning of the crash, Syafie had finished a night shift and dropped off a GrabHitch passenger in Bedok.
After another driver overtook him along Bedok Reservoir Road, Syafie became angry and accelerated to at least 122kmh while trying to overtake the vehicle.
Source: SG Road Vigilante on Facebook
During the manoeuvre, he side-swiped the other car and narrowly missed a motorcyclist.
Source: ROADS.sg on Facebook
At about 7am, Syafie reached the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road, Tampines Avenue 1, and Tampines Avenue 4, where the traffic light facing him had already been red for at least 26 seconds.
He entered the junction at between 129kmh and 134kmh, more than twice the 50kmh speed limit.
Collision killed two and injured eight others
Syafie’s car struck three vehicles, setting off a chain collision involving six vehicles in total.
Source: SG Road Vigilante on Facebook
One of the cars overturned and hit a van and a school bus, while another mounted a kerb and crashed into a lamppost.
Source: SG Road Vigilante on Facebook
The collision killed Ms Norzihan, who had been travelling to work in the van, and a 17-year-old student who was on her way to her school’s annual cross-country event.
The teenager cannot be named due to a gag order covering victims below the age of 18.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Niranjan Ranjakunalan told the court that cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered to Ms Norzihan at the scene.
She was later taken to hospital, where she died from multiple injuries, including fractures to her neck and ribs.
Source: SG Road Vigilante
The teenager had been travelling in the first car Syafie struck, which was driven by her father.
Their car overturned, leaving her trapped beneath another vehicle while her father lost consciousness.
When he woke up in hospital and learnt that his daughter had died, he broke down and was later brought to where her body lay so he could hold her hand.
Victims and families suffered lasting trauma
Eight other people were injured in the collision, including children who were on their way to school.
Source: Singapore Road Accident on Facebook
The court also heard that several victims and family members continued to suffer psychological effects after the crash.
The teenager’s mother was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A psychiatric report stated that she felt life had lost its meaning, stopped working, and struggled with household chores and caring for her other children.
A 42-year-old woman involved in the crash was also diagnosed with PTSD and eventually moved to a less demanding role while recovering from her injuries.
Her 11-year-old son suffered recurring nightmares, became anxious around roads and fast-moving transport, and would sometimes ask for toilet breaks at school so he could cry.
Sentencing adjourned to 7 Sept
Syafie’s car eventually came to a stop after hitting railings along Tampines Avenue 4.
He remained inside until a member of the public helped him out and was later taken to hospital with fractures to his arm and ribs.
Source: Singapore Road Accident on Facebook
Police arrested him on 24 April 2024 after he was discharged, and his driving licence was suspended immediately.
His case has been adjourned to 7 Sept for mitigation and sentencing.
For dangerous driving causing death, Syafie faces between two and eight years’ imprisonment, as well as a driving ban of up to 10 years.
Also read: Driver in fatal Tampines accident charged with dangerous driving causing death & 3 other offences
Driver in fatal Tampines accident charged with dangerous driving causing death & 3 other offences
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Featured image adapted from MS News and Singapore Road Accident on Facebook.