Man, 34, charged over death of British cyclist in hit-&-run on Nicoll Highway

A 34-year-old Singaporean man was charged on Nov. 6, 2024, for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident with a 45-year-old cyclist on Nicoll Highway back on Dec. 19, 2023.

Tan Yong Ren was allegedly driving against the flow of traffic when he collided with Basra Rajan Singh, a United Kingdom national who was cycling along Nicoll Highway towards Guillemard Road at 5:07am on Dec. 19, 2023.

Singh was subsequently conveyed to the hospital, where he passed away.

Footage of the accident from the Land Transport Authority showed Singh trying to avoid colliding with the car but failing, according to a CNA report on a coroner's inquiry into Singh's death.

Singh was then apparently flung upwards before landing on the road.

Tan Yong Ren received seven charges on Nov. 6 for various offences, including dangerous driving and obstruction of justice.

Failed to stop or render assistance

According to the charges, Tan also allegedly failed to stop after the accident and did not render any assistance.

Tan also allegedly failed to conform to a red light signal at the junction of Kitchener Road and Serangoon Road on the day of the accident.

Tan is also charged with obstruction of justice for having caused a delay in the police investigation by avoiding the police despite knowing he was involved in a road accident.

Not his first case

According to the charges, Tan was convicted on Nov. 12, 2012, for "causing grievous hurt by an act which endangers life or the personal safety of others" and "causing death by rash/negligent act" during the driving of a motor vehicle.

If convicted of the charge of causing death by dangerous driving, a repeat offender faces an imprisonment term of not less than 4 years and not more than 15 years, and a driving disqualification of 10 years.

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