SINGAPORE – A driver allegedly involved in a hit-and-run case that killed a cyclist on the Nicoll Expressway last December was charged in court on Wednesday (Nov 6).

Tan Yong Ren, 34, was charged with seven counts including dangerous driving causing death by repeat offense and obstruction of justice..

The coroner’s court heard on September 19 that Tan was driving against traffic and was believed to be drunk when his car collided with cyclist Basra Rajan Singh, 45.

According to the charge sheets, Tan was previously convicted in 2012 of causing grievous harm by an act endangering the life or personal safety of others, and causing death by a reckless or negligent act. Court documents did not provide details about the case.

In their news release Thursday, police said they were Alerted to the accident at 5:10 a.m. on December 19, 2023.

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

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

The identity of the driver was established through ground investigations and with the help of a witness and video footage from police and Land Transport Authority (LTA) cameras. He was arrested the same day.

Tan was charged on Wednesday with the following crimes:

• Dangerous driving due to repeat offense
• Dangerous driving causing death due to repeated offenses
• Failure to stop after an accident
• Failure to report an accident within 24 hours
• Moving the vehicle without the authorization of a police officer.
• Do not provide assistance to the injured.
• Obstructing the course 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 showed a vehicle going against the flow of traffic along the Nicoll Highway towards Rochor, a coroner’s court had heard two months ago.

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

According to the investigating officer, Tan said he had “momentarily dozed” before the collision.

For reckless driving resulting in death as a repeat offender, he could be sentenced to between four and 15 years in prison.

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

The two violations also carry a penalty of disqualification from driving all types of vehicles.

For the offenses of failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident within 24 hours and moving the vehicle without the authorization of a police officer, each carry a fine of up to S$1,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.