A driver who caused the fatal six-vehicle collision in Tampines in April 2024 has pleaded guilty to three dangerous driving charges.
On Thursday, 6 August 2026, 45-year-old Muhammad Syafie Ismail admitted to dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing grievous hurt and dangerous driving causing hurt.
The crash killed two people, a 17-year-old student and 57-year-old Norzihan Juwahib. Eight others were injured.
He Became Angry After Another Driver Overtook Him
The accident happened on the morning of 22 April 2024.
Syafie had finished a night shift and dropped off a GrabHitch passenger before driving along Bedok Reservoir Road.
According to the statement of facts presented in court, Syafie became angry after another driver, who was ferrying his teenage child to school, overtook him.
Syafie accelerated to at least 122kmh and tried to overtake the other vehicle. He swerved between lanes, narrowly missed a motorcyclist and sideswiped the vehicle he was overtaking.
Instead of stopping after that collision, he continued driving towards the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road, Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4.
He Entered the Junction at Up to 134kmh
When Syafie reached the junction at around 7am, the traffic light facing him had already been red for at least 26 seconds.
He entered the junction at between 129kmh and 134kmh. The speed limit along the road was 50kmh.
Vehicles travelling across the junction had the right of way at the time.
Syafie’s car struck three vehicles. One of them spun, overturned and collided with other vehicles, resulting in a chain collision involving four cars, a van and a school bus.
Syafie’s vehicle eventually stopped after hitting the green railings along Tampines Avenue 4.
Two People Died and Eight Others Were Injured
The 17-year-old student was travelling in a car driven by her father. They were on their way to a school event.
Their car spun, flipped and overturned during the collision. The student became trapped beneath another vehicle and died from her injuries.
Her father lost consciousness. When he regained consciousness in hospital, the first thing he asked was where his daughter was.
The second person who died was Norzihan, who was travelling to work in a van. She was sitting in the rear when the van was struck during the chain collision.
Several other motorists, passengers and children were injured. They included parents who had been taking their children to school that morning.
Some Victims Were Diagnosed With PTSD
The court also heard about the psychological impact of the collision.
The mother of the student who died was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. She stopped working and struggled to carry out household tasks after losing her daughter.
An 11-year-old boy involved in the crash experienced recurring nightmares and became frightened by loud noises. He would sometimes ask to use the toilet while in school so that he could cry privately.
His mother was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and moved to a less demanding role at work so that she could attend physiotherapy and recover from her injuries.
He Will Be Sentenced in September 2026
Syafie pleaded guilty to three charges on 6 August 2026. His remaining charges will be taken into consideration during sentencing.
His mitigation and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 7 September 2026.
For dangerous driving causing death, he can be jailed for between two and eight years and disqualified from driving for up to 10 years.
Dangerous driving causing grievous hurt carries between one and five years’ imprisonment, while dangerous driving causing hurt carries up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
The prosecution has not yet presented its sentencing position in open court.
