Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 42, charged after an accident that claimed two lives and injured six others.
SINGAPORE: The driver involved in a fatal multi-vehicle accident in Tampines that resulted in two deaths and six injuries appeared in court on Thursday, facing four charges under the Road Traffic Act.
Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 42, was charged with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt, reckless driving, and failing to stop after an accident.
The tragic incident unfolded on Monday morning at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4. Dashcam footage showed a black car, allegedly driven by Syafie, speeding and sideswiping another vehicle before running a red light and colliding with multiple vehicles, including a van and a minibus.
Two individuals lost their lives in the accident: 17-year-old Temasek Junior College student Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril and 57-year-old pest control worker Norzihan Juwahib. Six others sustained injuries, including an 11-year-old boy and a 64-year-old van driver.
Court Proceedings
During the court session, Syafie appeared with his right arm in a sling. The prosecution requested bail of S$30,000 with electronic tagging, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of flight. Syafie, unrepresented, objected to the tagging, arguing that his documents and passport had already been confiscated, and he would attend all court proceedings.
The court granted bail with electronic tagging and other conditions, including a prohibition on contacting witnesses or obstructing justice.
Legal Implications
Syafie could face significant penalties if convicted. Dangerous driving causing death carries a sentence of two to eight years’ imprisonment and disqualification from driving. Dangerous driving causing hurt may result in a fine of up to S$10,000, a two-year jail term, or both.
The case has drawn national attention, with footage of the crash circulating widely online. Investigations are ongoing, and Syafie will return to court for a pre-trial conference on June 7.
The incident underscores the need for stricter adherence to traffic laws to prevent such tragedies on Singapore’s roads.
