SINGAPORE – A Heartbreaking Incident

In a sorrowful turn of events, 19-year-old Ms. Dorothy Naomi Tan lost her life in a tragic traffic accident that unfolded on Joo Chiat Road. Just a day away from embarking on her journey to law school, Ms. Tan's dreams were abruptly shattered on June 8, 2024, when she was struck by a van after failing to adequately check for oncoming traffic.

The Coroner's Inquiry

During a coroner’s inquiry held on January 23, it was revealed that Ms. Tan had only looked to her left before stepping onto the road, neglecting to assess the oncoming traffic from her right. The inquiry showcased sobering video footage, indicating that Ms. Tan had been looking in the opposite direction for eight crucial seconds. As she made her way across the road, a van driven by 24-year-old lab technician Mr. Woo Jie Yu, collided with her, yielding catastrophic consequences.

Circumstances of the Accident

The incident occurred near the Rising Court apartment building around 8 a.m., where Mr. Woo was traveling to release Wolbachia mosquitoes, as part of a public health initiative. Despite his attempts to swerve and brake in time, he struck Ms. Tan, who was then thrown onto the opposite lane. This alarming sequence of events didn't end there; Mr. Woo's van also collided with a power-assisted bicycle rider, who promptly fled the scene, leaving no contact details for the investigation.

Emergency Response and Tragic Outcome

Following the accident, emergency response teams quickly transported Ms. Tan, who was unconscious, to Changi General Hospital. Tragically, her family received the devastating news that she had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, and further medical intervention would be futile. In a heart-wrenching decision, her family opted to remove her from life support, leading to her death on June 9, 2024, at 1:40 a.m.

Legal and Family Responses

As the inquiry continued, the family's legal representative, Mr. Daniel Goh, raised poignant questions regarding the characterization of Ms. Tan's crossing of the road. He emphasized that her actions should not be described as 'dashing,' pointing out that it might have been just a single, tentative step. However, the traffic investigation officer stated that Ms. Tan’s movement appeared brisk based on the gathered evidence.

Additionally, discussions arose surrounding the speed at which Mr. Woo was driving. Although the area’s speed limit was set at 50 km/h, SI Jeff Tan was unable to confirm details regarding the van's speed at the time of impact, prompting requests for technical analysis.

A Mother's Forgiveness and Community Mourning

In a poignant reflection shared with local media, Ms. Tan's mother, Madam Tan Chin Shin, articulated her forgiveness towards the driver, expressing the family's desire to move forward. They await the State Coroner's findings, expected to be announced on January 27, which may bring some semblance of closure to this heartrending incident.

Remembering Dorothy Tan

Dorothy Tan was a bright student with a promising future ahead. A graduate of Raffles Girls’ School, she had been accepted to the prestigious Yong Pung How School of Law at Singapore Management University, demonstrating a keen ambition to follow in her father’s footsteps as a lawyer. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the fragility of life, leaving the community in mourning while calling for greater attention to pedestrian awareness.