2024 Tampines chain collision that killed 2: Driver, 45, gets 12 years & 9 months' jail, disqualified from driving for life - Mothership

The driver who caused a chain collision in Tampines on Apr. 24, 2024, which killed two people, was sentenced to 12 years and nine months' jail and disqualified from driving for life.

Muhammad Syafie Bin Ismail, 45, appeared in court on Oct. 5, 2026, for sentencing following his conviction.

He kept his head low and did not react as the sentence was read out.

Principal District Judge Toh Han Li said Syafie's conduct resulted in the loss of two innocent lives, with eight others suffering hurt and injuries.

His conduct also affected the families of the victims, including the mother of the 17-year-old student who died, who is now suffering from major depressive disorder. 

He also caused considerable damage to private and public property, Toh noted.

Syafie will begin serving his sentence today, Oct. 5.

The Deputy Public Prosecutor had sought a jail term of 12 years and nine months to 13-and-a-half years during a previous hearing on Sep. 7, 2026.

Meanwhile, the defence had sought a jail sentence of between seven-and-a-half years and eight years.

Both the prosecution and defence called for a lifetime driving ban for Syafie.

Syafie pleaded guilty on Aug. 6 to three charges for dangerous driving causing death, causing grievous hurt and causing hurt.

Other charges were also considered during sentencing.

He had run a red light while speeding, which resulted in the deaths of two people.

A 17-year-old student, who was being driven to school by her father, and a 57-year-old woman, who was in the back of a van, died.

Syafie's car overtook and sideswiped a car driven by another man, who had earlier overtaken him in Bedok.

He swerved in and out of lanes along Bedok Reservoir Road and narrowly missed a motorcyclist.

He then accelerated to the cross junction of Bedok Reservoir Road, Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4 at a speed of 129 km/h to 134 km/h.

The light had been red for at least 26 seconds.

Vehicles were travelling across the road in both directions.

Syafie hit three vehicles, which in turn hit a van and a school bus.

Three victims were grievously injured, with some requiring multiple surgeries.

Another five victims, including two 11-year-old children, were injured and hospitalised.

Syafie has a record of a careless driving violation in April 2022, among other traffic violations.