Man Sentenced for High-Speed Crash Injuring Migrant Workers

SINGAPORE: A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for reckless driving, which led to a serious accident involving a lorry carrying migrant workers. This incident, which occurred on July 19, 2023, shocked many and has reignited discussions on road safety and the transport of workers in Singapore.

Details of the Incident

Tan Wei Feng pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving that caused severe injuries to nine individuals, all of whom were workers traveling in the back of the lorry. He also faces an eight-year driving ban, the minimum required for such offenses. A second charge regarding less severe injuries to three others, including two migrant workers and a passenger in his car, was noted during the court proceedings.

The crash took place on the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway around 7:45 AM, under clear and dry conditions. An eyewitness, riding a motorcycle behind the lorry, observed Tan’s car swerve from the third lane into the first. Moments later, Tan’s vehicle overtook the motorcycle and collided violently with the lorry, resulting in it spinning and rolling onto its side.

Injuries and Impact

The impact was devastating, with several passengers in the lorry being thrown from the vehicle. A speed analysis determined that Tan was traveling between 130km/h and 160km/h—significantly above the road’s 80km/h limit. The lorry was within the speed restrictions when the collision occurred. Nine migrant workers, aged between 23 and 41, sustained severe injuries, leading to four of them undergoing surgery. Their afflictions ranged from head trauma and brain hemorrhages to multiple fractures.

In addition to the nine seriously injured workers, three other individuals suffered lesser injuries, including bruises and a neck sprain. The lorry suffered over S$36,000 (approximately US$28,000) in damages, while Tan’s car was deemed a total loss, costing the rental company about S$8,000.

Legal Proceedings and Court Sentencing

Despite the gravity of the situation, Tan has yet to make restitution to the injured parties. His lawyer claimed that he is not financially capable of compensating the victims. During sentencing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mavis Ng urged for a prison term of 26 to 30 months, pointing out the significant number of individuals affected and criticizing Tan’s high speed at the time of the incident. Tan’s defense argued for a lower 26-month term, noting he was neither asleep nor under the influence during the crash and highlighting his potential for rehabilitation as a caregiver for his elderly mother.

Importantly, Tan had previous driving offenses in 2022 and 2023, which were settled outside of court, and he could have faced a sentence ranging from one to five years for this serious charge of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt. This case brings to light ongoing concerns regarding the safety of transporting workers in lorry beds, a matter that has been debated in parliament since 2010.

Conclusion

This incident underscores the dire consequences of reckless driving and the urgent need for stricter regulations regarding the transport of workers. As discussions around this topic continue, the hope is that such accidents can be prevented in the future.