SINGAPORE, Sept 18 — Authorities charged a 20-year-old Singaporean man today over a traffic accident that killed a passenger he allegedly ferried through an informal carpooling arrangement.
Weaver Chiam Zheng Jie faces four charges related to the incident, which occurred on December 31, 2023 along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas, according to a CNA report.
Chiam allegedly drove a van without a valid Class 3 Driving Licence and collided with a lorry, causing the van to flip.
Chiam allegedly offered carpooling services via a Telegram group chat and picked up Ong, who was seated in the front passenger seat when the crash occurred.
A passenger could be picked up by inexperienced drivers, which can lead to a higher chance of an accident, said State Coroner Adam Nakhoda during an earlier inquiry into the death of passenger Michael Ong Wee Siong.
The charge sheet states that Chiam drove between lane one and lane two of the three-lane PIE and collided with a lorry travelling on lane three.
Ong, 21, died from injuries sustained in the collision.
Chiam also faces one count of ferrying a passenger who was not an employee of the company that owned the goods vehicle.
He faces another charge for driving without insurance, as required under the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act.
The court has scheduled a pre-trial conference for Chiam on October 24.
If convicted of driving without due care or attention, Chiam could be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$10,000 (RM32,799), or both, and disqualified from driving for up to eight years.
For illegally ferrying a passenger in a goods vehicle, he could face up to three months’ jail, a fine of up to S$1,000, or both.
Driving without insurance carries a similar penalty, along with a possible 12-month driving disqualification.
If convicted of driving without a licence, Chiam could be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
