42-year-old driver in Tampines fatal accident charged in court for causing two deaths

SINGAPORE: The 42-year-old male car driver, Muhammad Syafie Ismail who was involved in Monday’s (22 April) catastrophic multi-vehicle crash in Tampines charged in court on 25 April, facing several serious offences.

The four charges include:

1. Dangerous Driving Causing Death
   • Section: 64(2)(a)
   • Penalty: Imprisonment for a term not less than two years and not more than eight years. Additionally, disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles is mandatory.
2. Dangerous Driving Causing Hurt
   • Section: 64(2B)(a)
   • Penalty: A fine of up to S$10,000, or imprisonment for a term of up to two years, or both. Disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles is also applicable.
3. Dangerous Driving
   • Section: 64(2C)(a)
   • Penalty: A fine of up to S$5,000, or imprisonment for a term of up to 12 months, or both.
4. Failing to Stop After an Accident
   • Section: 84(1)
   • Penalty: A fine of up to S$1,000, or imprisonment for a term of up to three months, or both.

He was granted bail set at S$30,000 and ordered not to have any contact with the prosecution witnesses.

When asked by the judge if he wished to make a statement, Syafie indicated that he would be seeking legal representation.

The prosecution proposed electronic monitoring, citing concerns about his potential flight risk.

In response, Syafie addressed the court, stating that he believed electronic tagging was unnecessary since his documents, including his passport, had been seized by the police.

He affirmed his compliance with bail conditions and assured his presence at all court proceedings, leaving the decision to the court.

Police investigations are continuing to explore other possible offences.

Syafie was arrested by police on Wednesday upon his discharge from the hospital.

The charges are in relation to the accused’s involvement in the tragic incident on the morning of 22 April 2024 at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4, where a collision involving four cars, a van, and a minibus claimed two lives and injured several others.

At about 7:05 am on the said date, police were alerted to the accident which resulted in immediate and severe consequences.

A 17-year-old female car passenger and a 57-year-old female van passenger were conveyed unconscious to the hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

The two have been identified as a Temasek JC student Afifah Munirah Binte Muhammad Azril and 57-year-old victim Norzihan Bte Hj Juwahib, an employee of a pest control company.

Ms Norzihan had recently realized her dream of owning a home by purchasing a two-room flat in Sengkang just three months ago before the accident.

Additionally, three male car drivers aged between 42 and 48, a 64-year-old male van driver, and two 11-year-old boys, one a car passenger and the other a minibus passenger, were also hospitalized with injuries.

Later, a 42-year-old female car driver and a 39-year-old male van passenger sought medical treatment independently.

Footage captured from multiple dashboard cameras revealed the events leading up to and following the accident.

A black Saab was observed attempting to overtake a white Mercedes on Bedok Reservoir Road.

The Mercedes was struck when the Saab attempted the manoeuvre.

Subsequently, the Saab was observed disregarding a red light as it proceeded through the junction.

Meanwhile, the Mercedes successfully came to a halt at the red light.

Footage depicting the collision showed the Saab colliding with several vehicles either travelling straight along Tampines Avenue 1 or making a left turn onto Tampines Avenue 4.

The Singapore Police Force, in a statement late Wednesday, expressed their commitment to upholding road safety, emphasizing that egregious traffic offences endangering the safety of other road users will be met with strict enforcement.

They highlighted the severe penalties associated with these offences, reflecting the serious nature of the charges laid against the driver.

The community of Tampines and the wider Singaporean public have been deeply affected by the loss of the two victims.

In response to this tragedy, there has been an outpouring of grief from the community, with many expressing condolences online and calling for stringent action against reckless driving to prevent future losses.