A 31-year-old Singaporean man is set to be charged on Jul. 15 over a string of traffic offences, including allegedly driving under the influence of etomidate and dangerous driving, after being linked to seven separate road accidents over a period of less than four months.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the offences took place between October 2024 and February 2025, with investigators uncovering multiple incidents involving the same driver across different parts of the island.
The most serious incident occurred on Feb. 6, 2025, when the man allegedly drove against the flow of traffic along Punggol North Avenue before crashing head-on into a lorry at about 8am. No injuries were reported, but officers seized a vaporiser and pod from him at the scene.
Subsequent tests conducted by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) detected etomidate in his blood sample. His driving licence was immediately suspended, and he will face charges relating to driving under the influence of drugs and dangerous driving.
Series Of Accidents Across Singapore
Investigations revealed the man had allegedly been involved in six other traffic incidents before the Punggol North Avenue crash.
On Oct. 21, 2024, he reportedly collided into the rear of a stationary taxi along Sengkang East Way after failing to keep a proper lookout. The 64-year-old female taxi driver suffered a neck strain and was taken to hospital. He is expected to face a charge of driving without due care and attention causing hurt.
Just a day later, on Oct. 22, the man allegedly veered erratically across five lanes along the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE), striking a wall before crashing into another vehicle. The 33-year-old driver of the other car sustained a fractured wrist as well as neck and back injuries. Prosecutors intend to charge him with dangerous driving causing grievous hurt.
On Feb. 1, 2025, he was allegedly involved in two separate rear-end collisions on the same day — one along Punggol Way and another along Dunearn Road near Newton Flyover. No injuries were reported in either accident.
However, during investigations into the Dunearn Road collision, officers seized a vaporiser from him. Authorities later found that he had allegedly provided false information by claiming he had not inhaled from the device. Besides two charges of driving without due care and attention, he will also face a charge for furnishing false information to a public servant.
Car Overturned After Crashing Into Traffic Light Pole
The incidents continued over the following days.
On Feb. 2, the man allegedly lost control of his vehicle while making a right turn at the junction of Yio Chu Kang Link and Boundary Road. His car crashed into a traffic light pole, uprooting it before overturning. He is expected to be charged with driving without due care and attention.
Two days later, on Feb. 4, he allegedly collided into the rear of a motorcycle along Simei Avenue. The 27-year-old motorcyclist suffered a wrist fracture and chest injuries and was taken to hospital.
A vaporiser was also seized following that accident, with the related offences referred to HSA for further action. The driver will face an additional charge of driving without due care and attention causing grievous hurt.
Growing Concern Over Etomidate-Related Driving Cases
The case adds to growing concerns over motorists allegedly driving while impaired by etomidate, a substance that has increasingly appeared in enforcement operations involving illegal vape products.
If convicted of the various offences, the man could face significant penalties, including fines, imprisonment and lengthy driving disqualifications.
Police said investigations into the incidents have been completed and the man is scheduled to be charged in court on Jul. 15.