SINGAPORE – A night of revelry turned into a nightmare after Yoong Kok Kai, 44, made a grievous mistake that resulted in a tragic accident, leaving an auxiliary police officer in a vegetative state.

On March 24, 2023, after over seven hours of drinking at multiple venues, Yoong decided to drive home. However, instead of heading in the right direction, he ended up speeding towards the Tuas Checkpoint at alarming speeds exceeding 100 km/h.

Upon losing control of his Lexus, Yoong struck Mr. Ng Yi Shu, a 30-year-old auxiliary police officer who was on duty. The horrific collision not only left Mr. Ng with a severe traumatic brain injury but also caused damage exceeding $37,290 to government property. “This was a needlessly senseless and tragic accident that stemmed from the accused’s decision to not only drink but drive,” commented District Judge Kok Shu-En during sentencing. Mr. Ng's condition has severely impaired his quality of life; he now requires constant care and cannot communicate or feed himself.

The sequence of events that led to this disaster began at a restaurant on Fraser Street, where Yoong consumed 1½ pints of beer. Following that, he drank a significant amount of whiskey at a second location, then shared a 3-litre tower of beer at a KTV lounge, ultimately deciding to drive home. His decision-making was morbidly affected by a blood alcohol level of 153mg per 100ml, which exceeds the legal limit of 80mg.

By approximately 12:30 AM, Yoong was reported speeding along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) and later along the Tuas Checkpoint car departure lane, where he engaged in reckless driving at speeds nearly double the speed limit.

As Mr. Ng attempted to intervene by alerting Yoong, the situation escalated. Even after he sought refuge behind a safety barrier, the intoxicated driver crashed into him with such force that safety installations were uprooted. The impact was devastating, throwing Mr. Ng into the air and causing life-changing injuries that required multiple surgeries.

As of January 30, Mr. Ng's medical bills have reached over $455,000, and his family faces the ongoing burden of his care as he will require assistance for the rest of his life. In stark contrast, Yoong has yet to make any restitution for the damages.

On March 17, Yoong was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and will face a 10-year ban on holding any driving licenses upon his release. This case stands as a shocking reminder of the dire consequences of drunk driving. The ramifications of such reckless behavior not only destroy lives but ripple through families and communities forever.

Hold on tight! The headlines of this tragic tale are a potent reminder: Is drinking and driving worth the risk?