24-5-2023 (SINGAPORE) Andre Low Cheng Jun, the driver of a Mini Cooper, has been sentenced to 18 months’ jail and given a 10-year driving ban for drink driving and driving without reasonable consideration. Low was drunk when he crashed into the back of a food delivery rider who was sitting on an electric bike, killing the 42-year-old man.
According to court records, Low drank one-and-a-half glasses of Martell cognac at Clarke Quay on the night of Mar 23, 2021. He drove his friend home to Potong Pasir and was heading home on Tampines Road when he overtook two cars. The drivers of both cars noticed that Low was driving at a fast speed.
At the T-junction of Hougang Avenue 1, the victim had stopped his power-assisted bicycle in the middle of the second lane. Low failed to notice the e-bike rider in front of him and picked up speed while going straight. He braked hard but crashed into the back of the victim’s e-bike.
The victim was flung upwards and rolled on top of Low’s car before falling to the ground. The collision wrecked the e-bike and ripped off portions of the Mini Cooper’s front bonnet and bumper.
An eyewitness called the police and Low called for an ambulance. He failed a breathalyser test conducted by police officers at the scene, who found that he reeked strongly of alcohol. He was arrested, and it was later revealed that he had 45 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of his breath, above the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
The victim was taken to the hospital but died later that same day from head and chest injuries. The prosecution asked for 15 to 18 months’ jail and a 10-year driving ban, the mandatory minimum in this case. Deputy Public Prosecutor Phoebe Tan said there was evidence of dangerous driving in this case.
The speed limit in the area was 60kmh, but Low was driving at a speed of 70kmh up to 93kmh while under the influence of alcohol, she said. He had also sped up before approaching the stop line.
Low’s lawyers asked for a jail term of not more than 12 months, stating that this was his client’s first brush with the law and that he was contrite and remorseful. They acknowledged the tragedy caused by the accident and Low’s deep regret for his actions.
