It was previously reported that a fatal accident unfolded on 31 December along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), resulting in the arrest of an 18-year-old van driver.
The accident took place along the PIE heading towards Tuas after the Toh Guan Road exit at approximately 7:35 am on New Year’s Eve, according to The Straits Times.
The Accident Scene Unveiled
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the incident, revealing a harrowing scene where two individuals were trapped inside an overturned van.
SCDF officers utilized hydraulic rescue equipment to free them. Unfortunately, a 21-year-old male passenger succumbed to his injuries, pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic. The 18-year-old van driver, conscious but injured, was swiftly transported to the National University Hospital.
A vivid image captured the aftermath on Facebook, portraying an orange van overturned on the two right-most lanes of the expressway. The visual included orange traffic cones surrounding the van and scattered debris, painting a grim picture of the tragic event.
Police Investigations Unfold
In the subsequent update on January 7, 2024, 8World News reported that the 18-year-old van driver had been arrested for careless driving without due care.
The investigation expanded to scrutinize the driver’s eligibility, with the driver also being investigated for driving without a valid license.
Shin Min Daily News shed light on the driver’s association with the deceased, indicating that the deceased didn’t know the driver and was a passenger in his illegal private-hire van (vans are not allowed to be used as private hire vehicles), through a carpooling group on Telegram.
This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative, raising questions about the circumstances leading to the fatal collision.
Images source: Singapore Road Accident on Facebook and @heather.ngg on Instagram