SINGAPORE: In a heartbreaking incident that has raised serious safety concerns on the roads, a driver involved in a collision that claimed the life of a cyclist was reported to be traveling against traffic and potentially under the influence of alcohol, according to a coroner's court inquiry held on September 19.

The inquiry delves into the details surrounding the unfortunate death of Mr. Basra Rajan Singh, a 45-year-old cyclist originally from the United Kingdom. Mr. Singh was cycling along Nicoll Highway during the early hours of December 19, 2023, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a Mr. Tan.

Investigations revealed that surveillance footage from the Land Transport Authority captured Mr. Tan's car moving against the flow of traffic toward Rochor when it collided with Mr. Singh. The incident occurred near a bend, and despite Mr. Singh's desperate attempt to evade the incoming vehicle, the collision resulted in him being thrown onto the road.

Mr. Singh was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries later the same morning. The investigating officer testified that Mr. Tan claimed to have momentarily 'dozed off' before the accident, raising concerns regarding his state of sobriety at the time.

Witness testimony also played a significant role in the inquiry. A valet driver, Mr. Ong, who was initially set to drive Mr. Tan, recounted a tense encounter. Upon arriving around 5 AM with Mr. Tan and his girlfriend, Mr. Ong noted that Mr. Tan appeared intoxicated and exhibited aggressive behavior. After Mr. Tan insisted on driving himself despite Mr. Ong’s objections, the valet driver chose to disengage from the service, ultimately leading to the tragic events that followed.

Additional witnesses corroborated the distressing scene. A part-time Grab driver, Mr. Han, witnessed the fallout of the crash. He observed a motorcyclist signaling to alert incoming traffic and later found Mr. Singh lying injured on the highway. Quick-thinking, Mr. Han called for medical assistance and remained at the scene until authorities arrived.

Further complicating the investigation, a taxi driver described seeing Mr. Tan's vehicle traveling in the wrong direction amidst poor visibility conditions due to the absence of a registration number on the car’s front bumper. Inspections following the accident discovered no mechanical issues with Mr. Tan’s vehicle or Mr. Singh's bicycle, which suffered catastrophic damage.

As details continue to unfold, the police confirmed that there's no evidence of foul play; however, they are awaiting further analysis regarding the speed of Mr. Tan's vehicle from the Attorney-General’s Chambers. This inquiry raises serious questions about road safety and the need for stringent measures against drunk driving, highlighting the tragic loss of life that can result from reckless behavior on the road.

The coroner is expected to reveal findings at a later date, and the hearing was attended by Mr. Singh’s grieving wife and friends, emphasizing the tragedy of a life cut short, leaving behind unanswered questions and a community seeking justice.

Stay tuned for updates on this tragic story as more information surfaces and community advocates call for safer roads in a bid to prevent similar incidents in the future!