S'porean man, 34, allegedly drank, dozed off & drove against traffic on Nicoll Highway, hit & killed cyclist, 45

A 34-year-old Singaporean man was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder on Oct. 28 for causing the death of a 45-year-old Briton on the road.

The hit-and-run incident occurred on Dec. 19, 2023.

Allegedly drove against flow of traffic after drinking

Tan Yong Ren had allegedly consumed alcohol, drove against the flow of traffic, and collided with Basra Rajan Singh, who was riding a bicycle along Nicoll Highway towards Guillemard Road, CNA reported.

The car was travelling along Nicoll Highway towards Rochor in the opposite direction.

Cyclist tried to avoid car

Singh had tried to avoid colliding with the car, but it was in vain, footage from a Land Transport Authority (LTA) camera showed.

The cyclist was flung upwards as a result of the head-on collision before landing on the road.

Tan told an investigating officer that he had "dozed off momentarily" before the collision.

The incident took place on a Tuesday at around 5am.

The cyclist was taken unconscious to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries, the police said in a news release at the time.

Tan allegedly did not stop to render assistance to the injured cyclist, and fled the scene.

He also did not report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

Tan's identity was established through ground inquiries, and with the aid of a witness and video footage from police cameras and LTA.

He was arrested on the same day of the accident.

Tan was initially charged with dangerous driving causing death, but he has been given an upgraded charge.

He was previously handed seven charges in total:

Dangerous driving as a repeat offender

Dangerous driving causing death as a repeat offender

Failing to stop after an accident

Failing to report an accident within 24 hours

Moving the vehicle without a police officer's authority

Failing to render assistance to the injured

Obstructing course of justice

A repeat offender

Charge sheets previously showed that Tan was convicted in 2012 for causing grievous hurt by an act which endangers life or the personal safety of others, and for causing death by a rash or negligent act.

Culpable homicide not amounting to murder is punishable by a jail term of up to 20 years if there was an intention to cause death, and up to 15 years if there was no such intention.

Fines or caning can also be handed out.

It is an upgraded charge compared to dangerous driving causing death, which is punishable by up to eight years' jail, but can result in longer imprisonment terms if it involves a repeat offender or "serious offender".

The case will be heard at a later date.

Top photos via Singapore Police Force & Eternal Glory Bereavement Services