A 30-year-old Singaporean driver has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for causing the tragic death of an 18-year-old female pillion rider during a reckless “blocking and braking” game along the East Coast Parkway (ECP). Jarrett Tee Lee Kiat, who was speeding at up to 160km/h, deliberately swerved into the path of a motorcycle in February 2024, causing a collision that flung both the rider and the teenage victim off the bike.
Court documents revealed that Tee asked his passengers, “Do you want to see motorcycle fly?” before executing the dangerous manoeuvre. The teenage victim, Leann Lim Jia Le, was critically injured in the crash and later died in hospital despite doctors’ efforts to save her life. Her boyfriend, 27-year-old motorcyclist Kovan Tan, survived but suffered abrasions and required hospitalisation.
Tee pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death, with two additional counts of dangerous driving considered in sentencing. He was also disqualified from driving for ten years. The prosecution highlighted Tee’s shocking lack of remorse, citing his repeated comments that the teenager “deserved it” for allegedly provoking him.
Fatal Night of Speeding & Reckless Driving Along ECP
According to CNA, The incident took place on 23 February 2024, when Tee and a group of acquaintances, including two 16-year-old girls, arranged a late-night meet-up involving cruising around Singapore. During the drive, Tee engaged in a game of “blocking and braking”, repeatedly swerving into another vehicle’s lane to force it to slow down.
Later, Tee began racing with Mr Tan, who was riding with Ms Lim as pillion, along the ECP towards East Coast Park. When Mr Tan tried to overtake Tee’s rented Mercedes-Benz by cutting across a chevron marking to rejoin the expressway, Tee swerved into his path, triggering the fatal crash. Dashcam footage from another driver captured Tee repeatedly braking near the motorcycle seconds before the collision.
The teenage girl was flung several metres and was found unresponsive at the scene. Despite paramedics’ efforts to revive her, she succumbed to her injuries in hospital the next afternoon, leaving her family devastated.
Court Hears Accused Showed ‘No Remorse’ After Teen’s Death
During sentencing, prosecutors described Tee’s behaviour as callous and devoid of empathy. Even after the collision, Tee told friends the victim “deserved” her fate and continued to downplay his role in the tragedy. He falsely claimed to police that the motorcycle had been tailgating and harassing him, but evidence, including dashcam footage, contradicted his account.
The court also heard that Tee was a National University of Singapore student, part-time chef, and social media influencer at the time. His lawyer argued that Tee acted out of bravado to impress passengers and lacked intention to cause serious harm. However, the prosecution emphasised that his reckless driving had fatal consequences and shattered the lives of the victim’s family.
The case has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and harsher penalties for dangerous driving in Singapore, highlighting the devastating impact of road rage and irresponsible behaviour on public roads.