Nadine Chua<\/strong> The prosecution is seeking between 12 years and nine months, and 13\u00bd years\u2019 jail for the driver who caused the 2024 Tampines accident that killed two people.<\/p>\n Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 45, had in August pleaded guilty<\/a> to three charges of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing grievous hurt and dangerous driving causing hurt.<\/p>\n A junior college student and a woman died, while eight others were injured in the six-vehicle collision.<\/p>\n Syafie will be sentenced on Oct 5.<\/p>\n During Syafie\u2019s court hearing on Sept 7<\/a>, Deputy Public Prosecutor Niranjan Ranjakunalan also urged the court to impose a lifetime driving disqualification.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, defence lawyer Kalaithasan Karuppaya sought a sentence of between seven years and six months, and eight years\u2019 jail for his client. He agreed on a lifetime driving ban.<\/p>\n Kalaithasan said: \u201cWe concede he\u2019s committed a serious offence, but he\u2019s pleaded guilty and he\u2019s remorseful.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the sentence the prosecution was seeking would be crushing on Syafie.<\/p>\n Principal District Judge Toh Han Li said he needed time to consider the submissions from both sides, and adjourned sentencing.<\/p>\n Before the hearing on Sept 7, Syafie arrived at the State Courts alone. He kept his head down and did not speak to the media.<\/p>\n On April 22, 2024, Syafie had finished working the night shift as an operations manager at a global manufacturing firm, then dropped off a GrabHitch passenger in Bedok at around 6.15am.<\/p>\n He then drove dangerously by abruptly overtaking a car along Bedok Reservoir Road.<\/p>\n His car collided with another car, causing it to veer left, almost hitting a motorcyclist.<\/p>\n Syafie drove off towards the junction at between 129kmh and 134kmh. The speed limit there was 50kmh.<\/p>\n He ran the red light, which had been red for at least 26 seconds, and rammed into three vehicles, causing a chain collision.<\/p>\n A video of the accident posted on social media showed a black car speeding past at least three vehicles before it caused a crash involving five other vehicles including a van.<\/p>\n The accident killed Norzihan Juwahib, 57, and a 17-year-old student<\/a>, who cannot be identified due to a gag order imposed for all victims below 18.<\/p>\n Norzihan was a passenger in the van on her way to work. She was a senior technician at pest control firm First Choice Pest Specialist and had worked there for about 10 years.<\/p>\n Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on Norzihan at the scene, but she died in hospital from multiple injuries, including fractures to her neck and ribs.<\/p>\n The student was a passenger in a car on the way to take part in her school\u2019s annual cross-country event. Her father was driving when the collision caused it to turn turtle with its doors flung open.<\/p>\n The student was trapped under another car, while her father lost consciousness.<\/p>\n The prosecutor previously told the court that when the girl\u2019s father woke up in hospital, he asked where she was.<\/p>\n When told she had died, he broke down. He was later taken to another room to see her and hold her hand.<\/p>\n The prosecutor, citing a victim impact statement by the girl\u2019s mother, said the woman has been struggling with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n A medical report from a psychiatrist quoted in court documents stated she felt life was meaningless. The woman contemplated dying from illness, but had no suicide ideation due to her religion.<\/p>\n She had to stop working and was unable to do housework. She was proud of her daughter, who had aspired to become a doctor.<\/p>\n As Syafie sped through the junction, his car collided with two cars before surging forward to crash into another car.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the first car Syafie crashed into spun before overturning, and this caused it to collide with the van and a minibus.<\/p>\n The crash also caused injuries to eight others, including two 11-year-old boys. One of the victims suffered rib fractures while another sustained a head injury.<\/p>\n A 42-year-old woman whose name was redacted, suffered injuries to her hand, which has since made it difficult for her to type and dress herself.<\/p>\n The prosecutor said the victim was unable to concentrate at work, and had poor sleep and appetite as she would often think about the accident.<\/p>\n The woman had to take a less demanding role at her job to recover and go for physiotherapy.<\/p>\n Her 11-year-old son, who was seated in the front passenger seat, suffered from nightmares and disturbed sleep.<\/p>\n At school, he would unexpectedly remember the accident, and would request toilet breaks to cry. He also wanted to avoid being near a road, crossing a road, or travelling on fast-moving transport, such as trains.<\/p>\n After the crash, Syafie stayed in the driver\u2019s seat, until a bystander helped him to the roadside. Syafie sustained fractures to his arm and rib, but has no permanent disability.<\/p>\n He was arrested two days after the crash<\/a> after being discharged from hospital. His driving licence was immediately suspended.<\/p>\n Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can be jailed for up to eight years and disqualified from driving.<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Straits Times<\/strong>
Sept 7, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe crash<\/h2>\n
Injured eight others<\/h2>\n
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