Tanjong Pagar Crash Ruled A Traffic-Related Misadventure, Driver Showed Lack Of Consideration For Safety

Coroner Rules Tanjong Pagar Crash Which Resulted In 5 Deaths A Traffic-Related Misadventure

At 5.40am on 13 Feb 2021, a car crashed into the side of a shophouse in Tanjong Pagar.

Mr Jonathan Long Junwei, who was driving the vehicle, and all four of his passengers – Mr Eugene Yap Zheng Min, Mr Elvin Tan Yong Hao, Mr Wilson Teo Qi Xiang and Mr Gary Wong Hong Chieh – passed away in the collision.

The five of them were colleagues or former colleagues, gathering for a Chinese New Year celebration earlier that night.

Describing his findings at a hearing on 24 Aug, the state coroner ruled the incident as a traffic-related misadventure. He said Mr Long had shown little regard for his safety and that of others through his actions.

Coroner rules Tanjong Pagar Crash a traffic-related misadventure

On Wednesday (24 Aug), The Straits Times (ST) reported State Coroner Adam Nakhoda’s findings about the Tanjong Pagar car crash at a hearing for the inquiry into the incident.

Describing it as a traffic-related misadventure, Mr Nakhoda said all five passengers who passed away were in the prime of their lives.

At the time of the incident, Mr Long drove the white BMW M4 at speeds of up to 182km/h, right before it crashed into the shophouse.

At the point of impact, the car was speeding between 87km/h to 99km/h — far above the 50km/h limit.

According to Mr Nakhoda, this showed Mr Long’s lack of consideration and disregard for the safety of himself, his passengers, and other road users.

He also highlighted an element of bravado to Mr Long’s actions as he seemed to have wanted to show his passengers how fast the car could go.

Passengers got into the car willingly

Prior to the crash, three of the men had driven the car around the area. In each round, Mr Long was allegedly insistent on competing to see who could drive faster.

When his turn came, he lost control of the car. Moments before rear-ending a shophouse pillar, Mr Long was believed to be braking heavily, judging from the white smoke emitting from the car tyres.

There was also no evidence that he coerced the other passengers to get into the car.

Autopsy reports apparently showed that Mr Long had a blood alcohol reading of 86mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg per 100ml.

Reports also revealed the injuries that led to the men’s death — all five had suffered severe burns from the crash, with Mr Wong sustaining pelvic injuries and Mr Teo sustaining a spinal injury.

Coroner warns against drink driving

Citing Mr Nakhoda, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) notes that the case serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Such situations can often escalate when combined with excessively fast speeds and bravado.

Due to a single moment of recklessness, Mr Long lost his life and caused the death of his four passengers.

Using the injuries Mr Teo had suffered as an example, Mr Nakhoda added that it is vital to adhere to the rules of wearing a seatbelt while travelling in a car.

Mr Teo had been in the centre rear seat and was not wearing a seatbelt. As a result, he sustained spinal injuries from the incident. The investigation was unable to determine if the other passengers and driver had a seatbelt on due to the damage done to the vehicle.

After the hearing concluded, Mr Long’s father said the coroner’s findings had brought closure to his family.

He additionally stated that his family has continued to support Mr Long’s former girlfriend Ms Raybe Oh, who suffered severe burns from running into the flames to try to save the victims.

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