Two charged for driving against traffic while high on etomidate

He allegedly drove against the flow of traffic for about 300m to 350m before entering a petrol kiosk, charge sheets stated.

The police said other drivers had to slow down to avoid a collision. No injuries were reported.

A vaporiser was found in Koh’s car, and etomidate was detected in his blood.

In their statement, the police warned that driving under the influence of any substance that impairs one’s ability to drive safely is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act that puts the lives of all road users at grave risk.

On Sept 2, Muhammad Shafiq Razali was handed seven charges, including driving under the influence of drugs, dangerous driving causing death as a serious offender, and driving without a valid licence.

He allegedly lost control of a rental car, crashing through a carpark barrier before crossing Pipit Road, near Block 52A Circuit Road, on July 11, 2025.

The vehicle mounted a kerb before colliding with a temporary night market stall along the road. A 67-year-old female stall attendant was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said in May that there had been 38 accidents linked to drug and etomidate use between 2023 and 2025.

Of these, 19 were fatal. Nine of these involved etomidate, while the remaining 10 involved drugs.

In 2025 alone, there were 18 road accidents involving etomidate. There was only one case involving etomidate in 2024.

No etomidate-related cases were reported in 2023.

Those convicted of dangerous driving as a serious offender can be fined between $2,000 and $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months or both.

This is in addition to a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.

For driving under the influence of drugs, an offender can be fined between $2,000 and $10,000, jailed for up to a year, or both.

Chong’s case will be heard again on Oct 8, while Koh is expected to plead guilty on Oct 15.