Up to 13.5 years in prison sought for driver in fatal Singapore crash
In Singapore, prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of between 12 years and nine months and 13.5 years for 45-year-old Muhammad Safi bin Ismail, who pleaded guilty in a case involving a fatal chain collision in the Tampines area. The prosecution and defence are also asking for him to be banned from driving vehicles for life, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Circumstances of the crash
The crash occurred on April 22, 2024, during rush hour at the intersection of Bedok Reservoir Road, Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4. According to case materials, the driver accelerated to at least 122 km/h while overtaking another car and sideswiped it.
He then weaved between lanes on Bedok Reservoir Road, nearly collided with a motorcyclist and continued accelerating. The traffic light at the intersection had been red for at least 26 seconds when Ismail entered it at a speed of between 129 and 134 km/h.
He collided with three cars, which then crashed into a van and a school bus. A 17-year-old student whom her father was taking to school and a 57-year-old van passenger were killed in the crash.
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Three other people sustained serious injuries, and some of them required several operations. Five people, including two 11-year-old children who were hospitalised, were also injured.
Positions of the parties
Ismail pleaded guilty to three charges: dangerous driving causing death, serious injury and injury. The court will take the remaining charges into account during sentencing.
Prosecutor Niranjan Ranjakumalan cited the deaths of two people, the number of victims and the property damage caused. He requested that three sentences be served consecutively, as well as a guilty plea discount of 10–15%, rather than 30%.
Defence lawyer Kalaithan Karuppaya requested a prison sentence of between 7.5 and 8 years and a lifetime ban on driving vehicles. According to the lawyer, Ismail cooperated with the investigation, expressed remorse and wrote a letter of apology to the victims and their families. Judge Toh Han Li postponed sentencing until October.
