Teen motorcyclist faces charges after fatal LTA chase, claiming he is “not to be blamed”

SINGAPORE: A teenager, aged 18, involved in a motorcycle chase on the Seletar Expressway (SLE) resulting in the death of a Land Transport Authority (LTA) officer, was brought before court on Thursday (6 June).

Appearing via video link from his place of remand, the teenager faced six charges encompassing traffic violations, drug possession, and weapon offences.

Five of these charges allegedly occurred on 4 June, as reported by Singaporean state media, The Straits Times.

When questioned if he had anything to say, the teenager stated: “I gambled my life as much as he gambled his. So the death … I may be one of the contributing factors to the death, but I am not to be blamed.”

Reportedly, the teenager was found in possession of a Samurai sword at Block 502A Woodlands Drive 14 on Tuesday at around 10:40 am on 4 June.

According to the charge of dangerous driving, the teenager manoeuvred across two lanes from the road shoulder near the Tampines Expressway exit and over the chevron marking of the expressway divider in an attempt to evade the LTA officer, Mr Zdulfika Bin Ahakasah.

The teenager was reportedly attempting to flee from Mr Zdulfika on Tuesday morning when the latter was involved in a collision with two lorries and a van.

Mr. Zdulfika, aged 26, was taken to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Teen’s first alleged offence in 2023

“We are deeply saddened that our enforcement officer Mr Zdulfika Bin Ahakasah passed on in a fatal accident this morning. He is a valued member of our enforcement team,” read the post.

“Zdulfika was trying to stop an errant motorcyclist when the accident happened.”

Footage of the incident, circulated on SG Road Vigilante – SGRV Facebook page, captured the harrowing moments leading to the officer’s demise.

The video depicted Mr Zdulfika in pursuit of the motorcyclist along the shoulder lane near an expressway exit. Tragically, the pursuit ended in catastrophe as the motorcyclist abruptly swerved into the path of a lorry, prompting the fatal collision.

The video showcased the officer’s valiant effort to maintain pursuit before crashing his motorcycle into a road divider; his body flung into the air.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Daniel Tan, Commander of Traffic Police, expressed condolences over the tragic loss, emphasizing the officer’s unwavering commitment to road safety.

“This was a tragic loss of life of a fellow law enforcer who died while executing his duty to keep our roads safe,” he said.

“The police will investigate this matter thoroughly, and ensure that those responsible face the full brunt of the law.”

Mr Zdulfika’s anticipated July wedding

As per ST, Mr Radin Ilahi Ahakasah, brother of Mr Zdulfika, conveyed that his brother was eagerly anticipating his wedding in July.

The most recent fatal accident involving an outrider conducting LTA-enforcement duties dates back to 1990.

Corporal Tan Tiang Hwa, formerly affiliated with the Registry of Vehicles, which later amalgamated with three public entities to establish the LTA, tragically lost his life when a reversing lorry collided with his motorcycle on Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim.

In 2017, Traffic Police Staff Sergeant Nadzrie Matin, aged 29, succumbed to injuries sustained during a traffic patrol along Serangoon Road.

Mr Zdulfika’s demise marks the second officer fatality in the line of duty within the past fortnight.

On 16 May, firefighter Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin, aged 30, serving with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, perished while battling a fire aboard the China-flagged tanker Sheng Hang Hua 6 at Raffles Reserved Anchorage in Singapore’s southwest region.

He became the second firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty in 2022.