Man charged in Nicholl Highway hit-and-run that killed bicyclist allegedly riding against traffic

SINGAPORE: The driver allegedly involved in a hit-and-run that killed a cyclist on Nicoll 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 obstructing justice.

The coroner’s court heard on September 19 that Tan was driving against traffic and was likely drunk when his vehicle collided with 45-year-old cyclist Basra Rajan Singh.

According to the charges, Tan was previously convicted in 2012 of causing grievous bodily harm by an act that endangers the life or personal safety of others, as well as causing death by reckless or negligent acts. Court documents do not provide details of the case.

In a news release Thursday, police said they did The accident was reported at 5:10 am on December 19, 2023.

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

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

The identity of the driver was established through a ground investigation, as well as with the help of witnesses and CCTV footage from the police and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). He was arrested the 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
• Failure to stop after an accident
• Failure to report the accident within 24 hours
• Moving a vehicle without a police officer’s order
• Failure to provide assistance to victims
• Obstruction of justice.

The cyclist, from the United Kingdom, was riding along the Nicoll Highway towards Gillmar Road in the early hours of December 19 last year.

Footage captured by a Land Transport Authority camera showed the vehicle traveling against the flow of traffic along the Nicoll Highway towards Rohor, the court heard two months ago.

It showed Mr Singh riding his bicycle and trying to avoid a collision with the car, but to no avail. In the head-on collision, Mr Singh was thrown upwards before landing on the road.

According to the investigator, Tan said he “dozed off momentarily” before the collision.

For dangerous driving causing death, as a recidivist, he can be imprisoned for four to 15 years.

If convicted of dangerous driving as a repeat offender, he could face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both. The vehicle involved may be impounded.

These two offenses are also punishable by disqualification from driving vehicles of all classes.

The offenses of failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident within 24 hours and moving a vehicle without a police officer’s permission each carry a fine of up to S$1,000, imprisonment for up to three months or both.