S'pore man, 30, who drove after using Kpods & crashed into 2 elderly women, killing 1, gets almost 7 years' jail

A 30-year-old man who crashed into two elderly pedestrians after using Kpods, killing one of them, was sentenced to six years, nine months and 15 weeks' jail on Nov. 11.

He will also be disqualified from driving for 14 years upon his release.

Lim Jinsheng pleaded guilty to seven charges, including reckless driving causing death, driving under the influence of drugs, and possessing etomidate.

Described to be in a "zombie" state

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Lim was driving a rental car along the Bukit Timah Expressway on Nov. 8, 2025 when a witness noticed him weaving left and right within his lane.

A passenger in the witness' car also said Lim appeared to be nodding his head back and forth.

The witness continued to follow Lim’s vehicle, as they were travelling in the same direction.

At about 2:51pm, Lim stopped at a T-junction along Teck Whye Lane towards Choa Chu Kang Road, though the path ahead was clear.

In that moment, two women, aged 83 and 84, were about to cross the road.

Lim's car then suddenly moved towards them, mounted the kerb and hit them, causing both to fall.

The car was still accelerating, with its wheels spinning, after the collision.

When the witness got out of his car and asked Lim to step out, Lim was unresponsive.

Passers-by subsequently called the police.

One passer-by described Lim as being in a "zombie" state and holding a vape device.

Both victims were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, where the 83-year-old woman subsequently succumbed to her injuries and died.

She suffered multiple lacerations, bruises and abrasions on her head, torso and limbs.

Meanwhile, the 84-year-old fractured her left hip and left wrist.

Lim was arrested that day, and tests later showed that his blood contained etomidate.

He claimed he had blacked out after reaching for his water bottle, and recalled "seeing stars" and hearing ringing in his ears.

Other incidents

Earlier on Jul. 5, 2025, Lim’s car also mounted a kerb and hit a lamp post and a directional sign along Yishun Avenue 8.

He told the police he was tired and lost concentration while driving, and was not arrested that day.

Damage to the government property was estimated at S$1,950.

Less than two weeks later, on Jul. 16, 2025, Lim rear-ended a car along the Central Expressway at about 11pm.

The 41-year-old driver was given three days' medical leave as his head was hurting after the accident.

Lim also drove under the influence of etomidate and hit hit a traffic light pole and signage at the junction of Bedok North Avenue 3 and Bedok North Road in August that same year.

Police later found two Kpods in his shorts pocket and another 38 in his bag, and arrested Lim for driving under the influence of drugs.

Lim claimed he had blacked out from low blood sugar, but paramedics found his levels were normal.

A blood test later confirmed that his blood contained etomidate.

Sentencing submissions

The prosecution sought a jail term of between six and seven years, nine to 13 months, and seven to nine weeks, as well as a 12 to 14-year driving ban.

It said Lim had been given enough chances to change his ways, but continued to commit traffic offences on at least four separate occasions in five months, "with only sheer luck ensuring that his first three incidents of careless driving did not cause any serious harm".

"Tragically, on his final occasion of offending, his recklessness took the life of an innocent," the prosecution said, according to court documents.

According to The Straits Times, Lim’s lawyer said the sentence sought was fair.

In court, an apology written by Lim was read out.

"This accident happened because I did things without realising the grave consequences and no words will ever describe how sorry and guilty I am," he wrote.