42-year-old man handed four charges over Tampines accident, including dangerous driving causing death

SINGAPORE -- The car driver involved in a six-vehicle crash in Tampines that killed two people has been handed four charges.

Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 42, was charged on April 25 with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt and dangerous driving. He was also charged with failing to stop after an accident.

The prosecution said additional charges may be tendered against Syafie, and sought an adjournment for investigations to be completed and for a medical report to be ready.

Syafie was offered bail of $30,000. As part of his bail conditions, he must not have contact with any of the prosecution witnesses and must report to the investigation officer when required. He must also be electronically tagged.

The prosecution said he should be monitored with an electronic tag because of the serious charges he is facing, and noted that he could be a flight risk.

In response, Syafie said: "I don't think it is necessary to put an e-tag on me as all my documents, my passport, have been seized by the police. I am on bail, and am already present today and will be present for all the court matters.

"But it is up to the court to make the decision."

Syafie arrived at the State Courts at around 8.30am with his arm in a sling. He was escorted by the police and Aetos officers.

His case began at around 10am. He was expressionless as he stood before the judge.

When the judge asked him if he wished to say anything, Syafie said he would be engaging a lawyer.

The Straits Times understands that Syafie was driving a black Saab, which was seen in dashcam footage posted on social media.

According to charge sheets, Syafie allegedly failed to stop at the red traffic light, which resulted in his car colliding with two cars before surging forward to crash into another car.

Meanwhile, the first car Syafie crashed into spun before overturning, and this caused it to collide with a van. The van then collided with a minibus.

The impacts allegedly caused the deaths of Madam Norzihan Juwahib, 57, and Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, 17.

Charge sheets also stated that Syafie's driving allegedly injured Ms Lee Yau Meng, 42; Mr Weng Haifeng, 42; Mr Chia Tong Chai, 64; and Mr Mohammad Azman Mohd Enjah, 39.

Two 11-year-old boys were also injured in the accident.

Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can be jailed between two and eight years, and be disqualified from driving.

The offence of dangerous driving causing hurt carries a penalty of up to two years' jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

On Syafie's dangerous-driving charge, court documents stated that he drove his car recklessly by making an abrupt lane change from lane two to lane one of a two-lane road to overtake another car.

He also filtered back “acutely” into lane two in front of the other car, resulting in a side-swipe collision, causing the car to veer to the left and its left tyres to graze the kerb.

He then allegedly failed to stop after this, despite being required to do so after an accident.

A pre-trial conference will take place on June 7.

He was arrested on April 24 after being discharged from hospital. His driving licence was suspended with immediate effect.

The police said investigations are ongoing for other potential offences.

The crash involving four cars, a van and a minibus occurred on April 22 at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4.

Madam Norzihan and Afifah, who died after the accident, were both buried at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery on April 23.

Madam Norzihan was a passenger in the van, on her way to work, when the accident occurred. The right side of the vehicle was badly dented. She was a senior technician at pest control firm First Choice Pest Specialist and had worked there for about 10 years.

Afifah, a first-year student at Temasek Junior College, was a passenger in a car, on the way to take part in her school's annual cross-country event.

Her father, Mr Muhammad Azril, a Police Coast Guard officer, was driving their car when the impact from the collision caused it to turn turtle with its doors flung open.

He was taken to hospital with kidney- and spine-related injuries.

Five other people, including the two 11-year-old boys, were also taken to hospital.

The offence of dangerous driving carries a jail term of up to a year, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

For failing to stop after an accident, an offender can be fined up to $1,000, jailed up to three months, or both.