Man charged in Nicoll Highway hit-and-run that killed cyclist allegedly rode against traffic

SINGAPORE: A driver allegedly involved in the hit-and-run of a cyclist on Nicholl Highway last December was charged on Wednesday (Nov 6).

Tan Yong Ren, 34, faces seven charges, including dangerous driving causing death as a repeat offender and obstruction of justice..

The Coroner’s Court heard the case on September 19. that Tan was driving against traffic and was allegedly drunk when his car collided with 45-year-old Basra cyclist Rajan Singh.

According to the indictments, Tan was previously convicted in 2012 of causing grievous bodily harm by an act endangering the life or personal safety of others, and causing death by a rash or reckless act. Court documents do not provide details of the case.

In a press release Thursday, police said they were notified of the accident at 5.10 am on December 19, 2023.

The cyclist was taken unconscious to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

“The driver did not stop to assist the injured cyclist, but allegedly fled the scene after the accident,” police said. “He also failed to report the incident to the police within 24 hours.”

The driver’s identity was established through ground investigations, as well as with the help of a witness and police and Land Transport Authority (LTA) camera footage. He was arrested that same day.

On Wednesday, Tan was charged with the following crimes:

• Dangerous driving as a repeat offender
• Dangerous driving causing death as a repeat offender
• I can’t stop after the accident
• Failure to report an incident within 24 hours.
• Moving a vehicle without the permission of a police officer
• Inability to provide assistance to the victim
• Obstruction of justice.

The cyclist, who was from the UK, was traveling along the Nicoll Highway towards Guillemard Road in the early hours of December 19 last year.

Footage from a Land Transport Authority camera shows the vehicle driving against traffic on the Nicholl Highway towards Rochor, a coroner’s court heard two months ago.

The footage shows Mr Singh riding a bicycle and trying to avoid hitting the car, but in vain. The head-on collision sent Mr Singh flying upward and landing on the road.

According to the investigator, Tan said he “dozed off for a moment” before the collision.

For dangerous driving causing death as a repeat offender, he could be jailed for between four and 15 years.

If convicted of dangerous driving as a repeat offence, he faces a fine of up to S$10,000, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both. A vehicle involved in an accident may be subject to confiscation.

Both offenses also carry a penalty of revocation of the right to drive all classes of vehicles.

Failure to stop after an accident, failure to report an accident within 24 hours and moving a vehicle without the permission of a police officer each carries a fine of up to S$1,000, a prison sentence of up to three months, or both.