Driver Allegedly Under Influence Of Etomidate In Fatal CTE Crash That Killed Motorcyclist
A 34-year-old man is set to be charged after allegedly driving under the influence of etomidate and causing a fatal accident along the Central Expressway (CTE) that left one person dead and two others injured.
The incident occurred on June 5, 2025, at about 1:15am, along the CTE towards the Seletar Expressway (SLE). According to police investigations, the crash involved two cars and a motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, a 20-year-old man, was taken to hospital unconscious after suffering severe injuries. He later died from multiple grievous injuries sustained in the collision.
His 28-year-old pillion rider survived but suffered serious injuries, including a spinal fracture, liver lacerations, head injuries, a fractured ankle and multiple abrasions. Another 28-year-old passenger from a separate vehicle also sought medical treatment for bodily pain following the accident.
Allegedly Drove Erratically Before Collision
Investigators found that the accused had allegedly been driving erratically before the crash, forcing other motorists to take evasive action to avoid his vehicle.
Police said the man purportedly left his car stationary in the middle of the expressway, creating a dangerous obstruction for oncoming traffic.
The motorcycle is believed to have collided with the stationary vehicle, throwing both the rider and pillion passenger onto the road. They subsequently fell into the path of other vehicles travelling along the expressway.
Authorities further alleged that instead of remaining at the scene, the driver fled immediately after the collision without offering assistance to the injured parties.
He also allegedly failed to notify the police about the accident within the legally required 24-hour reporting period.
Arrested Within 13 Hours
Traffic Police officers managed to identify and locate the suspect within 13 hours of receiving the accident report.
Subsequent analysis conducted by the Health Sciences Authority allegedly detected etomidate in the man’s blood sample.
Etomidate is a sedative medication that has increasingly come under scrutiny in Singapore due to its misuse in recreational substances.
Following his arrest, the man’s driving licence was suspended with immediate effect.
Multiple Charges To Be Filed
The accused is expected to face several charges, including:
- Driving under the influence of a drug
- Dangerous driving causing death
- Dangerous driving causing grievous hurt
- Dangerous driving causing hurt
- Failing to stop after an accident
- Failing to render assistance following a fatal accident
- Removing a vehicle from an accident scene without police authorisation
If convicted, the penalties could be severe.
For repeat offenders, driving under the influence of drugs carries fines ranging from S$5,000 to S$20,000 and a jail term of up to two years, alongside a mandatory driving disqualification of at least five years.
Dangerous driving causing death carries a jail term of between two and eight years. As the accused is being treated as a serious repeat offender, he may face an additional imprisonment term of between two and four years, as well as a driving ban of at least 15 years.
Additional penalties apply for the remaining traffic offences, including further fines, imprisonment and lengthy driving disqualifications.
The case highlights ongoing concerns over motorists driving while impaired and the potentially devastating consequences such actions can have on other road users.