77-Year-Old Convicted of Drink Driving and Careless Driving After High-Speed Collision in Bukit Timah

A 77-year-old man receives a 6-month jail sentence and 7-year ban after a high-alcohol collision left a taxi passenger with severe brain injuries.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 16, 2026, 11:41 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

Judicial Ruling on High-Impairment Collision

A 77-year-old Singaporean man, Tay Kok Khiang, has been sentenced to prison following a violent traffic accident that caused life-altering injuries to a taxi passenger. On April 16, Tay pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving and careless driving causing grievous hurt. The court handed down a sentence of six months' imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, and a seven-year disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s license, marking a firm judicial response to impaired operation on local roads.

Events Preceding the Eng Neo Avenue Crash

The incident traces back to the evening of September 22, 2023, when Tay attended a birthday celebration at the Singapore Island Country Club. Over the course of three hours, from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, the defendant consumed a mix of champagne, wine, and whiskey. Despite the heavy consumption, Tay made the decision to drive himself home. Approximately ten minutes after departing the venue, while traveling along Eng Neo Avenue, Tay’s vehicle struck a taxi that was waiting at a red traffic light.

Severe Physical Fallout for Victims

The force of the impact was so significant that it caused the taxi to spin and come to rest beyond the intersection. Footage from the taxi’s internal camera revealed that Tay failed to decelerate before the moment of contact. The 45-year-old passenger in the taxi bore the brunt of the collision, suffering a traumatic brain injury and fractures to her face, neck, and ribs. She required nearly a month of hospitalization and was granted 210 days of medical leave. Even after her formal recovery period, the victim continues to suffer from cognitive slowing, dizziness, and low mood.