\n<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE \u2013 A 77-year-old man was driving with almost double the prescribed limit of alcohol in his system when he hit a taxi waiting at a traffic light in Bukit Timah. <\/p>\n
The impact left the taxi passenger with serious injuries, including a severe traumatic brain injury and rib fractures.<\/p>\n
On April 16, Tay Kok Khiang pleaded guilty to drink driving and careless driving causing grievous hurt. He was sentenced to six months\u2019 jail, a $5,000 fine and a driving disqualification of seven years.<\/p>\n
On the evening of Sept 22, 2023, Tay was at the Singapore Island Country Club with 12 friends for a birthday dinner. There, he drank alcohol, including champagne, wine and whiskey.<\/p>\n
Deputy Public Prosecutor Kester Tan said Tay began drinking at around 7.30pm and finished at about 10.30pm, before deciding to drive home.<\/p>\n
Around 10 minutes later, Tay was driving along Eng Neo Avenue when he forcefully hit a taxi that had stopped at a red traffic light.<\/p>\n
The impact caused the taxi to spin and come to a stop past the junction.<\/p>\n
Footage from the taxi\u2019s in-car camera played in court shows Tay did not slow down before crashing into the taxi.<\/p>\n
A Traffic Police officer at the scene noticed that Tay reeked strongly of alcohol. He was arrested after failing a breathalyser test. <\/p>\n
DPP Tan said Tay had 154 milligrams (mg) of alcohol in every 100 millilitres (ml) of blood, exceeding the prescribed limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood.<\/p>\n
Both the taxi driver, 72, and his passenger, 45, suffered injuries and were taken to hospital. The taxi driver suffered neck and back sprains and bruising on his chest.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the taxi passenger, who suffered a brain injury as well as fractures to her face, neck and ribs, was hospitalised for almost a month and given 210 days of hospitalisation leave.<\/p>\n
DPP Tan noted the impact the collision had on the passenger as he sought a sentence of six to 8 \u00bd months\u2019 jail, a $5,000 to $7,000 fine and a driving disqualification of between seven and eight years.<\/p>\n
He said the passenger continued to report symptoms of fatigue, low mood, dizziness and cognitive slowing, even after her hospitalisation leave had ended.<\/p>\n
In mitigation, Mr Sunil Sudheesan and Ms Joyce Khoo, defence lawyers from Quahe Woo & Palmer, said Tay was remorseful and urged the court to impose a sentence of three to four months\u2019 jail, a $7,000 fine and a driving disqualification of seven years. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe entire ordeal has been a painful one for our client. It is nonetheless accepted that (he) made the wrong decision to drive after drinking alcohol,\u201d the lawyers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident will certainly serve as a lifetime reminder for our client to never drive after drinking even a drop of alcohol, if (he) ever drives again.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n