48-year-old Chan Chin Lye, a taxi driver, consumed beer and Panadol and was feeling sleepy when he crashed into a car that had broken down along the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), causing it to hit its 40-year-old driver who was standing in front of the stalled vehicle, killing him, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia.
He pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by driving without due care, and another count of causing grievous hurt to his passenger was considered during his sentencing.
He was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment on 14 August, and his driving license has also been suspended since October 2022.
The Circumstances Leading to the Tragedy
The ill-fated event took place on September 28, 2022, when Chan Chin Lye, a 48-year-old taxi driver, found himself embroiled in a series of decisions that would forever alter the lives of those involved.
On this evening, Chan, after partaking in a gathering with friends, consumed alcohol and took a Panadol tablet, setting the stage for a deadly sequence of events.
Chan then drover his friends to their destinations after the gathering and he was plagued by sleepiness due to inadequate rest prior to taking the wheel.
This compromised state of alertness impaired his ability to maintain a vigilant lookout while driving. Amidst this drowsiness, the effects of alcohol and medication further clouded his judgment, exacerbating his inability to react promptly to the road ahead.
The Tragic Collision
As Chan drove along the PIE at a speed of approximately 80kmh, tragedy loomed ahead. Unbeknownst to him, a broken-down car occupied the same stretch of road, its hazard lights flashing as a warning to other drivers.
The 40-year-old driver of the stranded vehicle had taken precautions to ensure his safety, placing a triangular warning sign behind his car and waiting for assistance.
Despite ample opportunities to avoid catastrophe, Chan’s compromised state of mind and attention led to the accident. Ignoring the signs of the stationary car ahead, he continued at high speed until the last critical moment.
Desperate attempts to brake proved futile as his taxi collided with the back of the stranded vehicle. The force of the impact propelled the car forward, tragically striking the helpless victim.
The Grim Aftermath
The aftermath of the collision left a trail of destruction and despair. The victim, flung from his car and suffering severe injuries to the head, brain, and multiple rib fractures, succumbed to the injuries and died despite immediate medical attention.
Chan, faced with the grim reality of his actions, called for an ambulance, but it was too late to undo the irreversible damage.