Prosecutors are seeking up to 13-and-a-half years’ jail for the driver behind the 2024 Tampines chain collision that killed two people and injured eight others.
Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 45, appeared in court on Monday, 7 September, for sentencing submissions after pleading guilty in August to dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing grievous hurt and dangerous driving causing hurt.
The prosecution asked for between 12 years and nine months and 13 years and six months in jail.
Both the prosecution and defence also called for Syafie to be disqualified from driving for life.
Prosecution Wants Three Jail Terms to Run Consecutively
Deputy Public Prosecutor Niranjan Ranjakunalan proposed sentences totalling 15 years before any reduction for Syafie’s guilty plea.
The prosecution argued that only a 10 to 15 per cent reduction should be given, rather than the maximum 30 per cent reduction available under Singapore’s guidelines for guilty pleas in certain circumstances.
With a 10 per cent reduction, the resulting 13-and-a-half-year sentence would be the highest jail term available for the three charges Syafie pleaded guilty to.
The prosecution also asked for all three jail terms to run consecutively, citing the two deaths, the number of people injured and the property damage caused by the collision. Repairs to a lamp post and railing cost about S$1,317, while damage to five vehicles has yet to be fully quantified because insurance claims are being pursued separately.
Defence Seeks Between 7.5 and 8 Years’ Jail
Syafie’s lawyer, Kalaithasan Karuppaya, asked for between seven years and six months and eight years in jail.
The defence sought the full 30 per cent reduction for Syafie’s guilty plea and argued that only two of the jail terms should run consecutively.
The lawyer said Syafie accepted responsibility for his lapse in judgment and had cooperated with police investigations. He also submitted a letter apologising to the victims and their families.
The defence nevertheless agreed with the prosecution that Syafie should receive a lifetime driving ban.
He Ran a Red Light at More Than Twice the Speed Limit
The crash happened on the morning of 22 April 2024.
Before reaching Tampines, Syafie accelerated to at least 122kmh along Bedok Reservoir Road while overtaking another driver. His car sideswiped the other vehicle, and he continued towards the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road, Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4.
He entered the junction at between 129kmh and 134kmh, where the speed limit was 50kmh.
The traffic light had already been red for at least 26 seconds.
Syafie struck three vehicles travelling through the junction. The impact triggered a wider chain collision involving a van and a school bus.
A 57-year-old woman travelling in the van and a 17-year-old student who was being driven to a school event died.
Eight other people were injured, including two 11-year-old children. Three victims suffered grievous hurt, with some requiring multiple operations. Court proceedings also heard that several people affected by the crash later developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
Principal District Judge Toh Han Li said he needed time to consider both sides’ sentencing submissions.
Syafie is scheduled to be sentenced on 5 October.
