SINGAPORE — An 18-year-old motorcyclist has been handed six charges for his alleged involvement in a chase along the Seletar Expressway (SLE) on Tuesday (June 4) that led to the death of a Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officer. 

At the State Courts on Thursday, the teenager, who appeared via video link, had four traffic-related charges read to him:

1. Dangerous driving
2. Failing to stop when ordered by an authorised officer
3. Riding without a valid licence
4. Riding without insurance coverage

He also faces two other charges, one for possession of a samurai sword with a 40cm-long blade and a red sheath found at a flat in Woodlands on the evening of the accident, and the other for consumption of methamphetamine in August 2023.

As the accused was 17 when he allegedly committed the offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act, he cannot be named under the Children and Young Persons Act. The law bans the publication of the identities of young offenders under 18.

The prosecution sought a two-week adjournment to complete investigations into possible additional charges relating to drugs, cheating and traffic offences. 

The prosecution also applied for no bail to be given since the accused had been "on the run" and had previously absconded when he was to be moved to a community rehabilitation centre for drug-related offences in October 2023. 

The prosecution also pointed to the gravity of the accused's alleged offences, including the charge of dangerous driving, which allegedly caused the death of the pursuing officer.

District Judge Tan Jen Tse agreed to deny bail for the teenager, who was in remand and sporting black hair and blond highlights. 

When asked by the judge if he had anything to say, the accused replied: "I gambled my life as much as he gambled his. So the death, I may be one of the contributing factors, but I am not to be blamed."

WHAT HAPPENED

Charge sheets stated that at around 10.40am on June 4, the accused allegedly cut across two lanes from the road shoulder near the SLE's Tampines Expressway exit towards the Bukit Timah Expressway.

He allegedly cut across a chevron marking on the expressway divider to evade the LTA officer after being directed to stop for checks.

The teenager is accused of failing to stop after being ordered to by the officer.

He was also allegedly riding the motorcycle when he was not the holder of a Class 2B licence and did not have insurance. 

Videos of the accident circulating on social media show an LTA enforcement officer on a motorcycle slowing down behind another motorcycle on the SLE road shoulder near Exit 1.  

However, the motorcyclist swerves right abruptly towards the expressway. The LTA officer follows quickly behind him, but crashes into a road divider. 

If found guilty of dangerous driving, the accused can be jailed for up to 12 months or be fined up to S$5,000, or both.

Anyone who fails to stop when ordered by an authorised officer can be jailed for up to three months or be fined up to S$1,000, or both.

Those who are convicted of riding without a valid licence can be jailed for up to three years or be fined up to S$10,000, or face both punishments. 

For riding without insurance coverage, he could be jailed for up to three months or be fined up to S$1,000, or both. 

Anyone convicted of being in possession of a scheduled weapon without a lawful purpose can be jailed for up to five years and faces a minimum of six strokes of the cane upon a first conviction.

If found guilty of drug consumption, the rider could be jailed for up 10 years, with a minimum sentence of one year, or face a fine of up to S$20,000. 

His case will return to court on June 20.

'A TRAGIC LOSS'

On its Facebook page, the LTA identified the deceased enforcement officer as Zdulfika Ahakasah. 

“The Land Transport Authority is deeply saddened that LTA enforcement officer Zdulfika Ahakasah passed on in a fatal accident this morning. He is a valued member of our enforcement team," it said.

“Zdulfika was trying to stop an errant motorcyclist when the accident happened. LTA is working with the Traffic Police to thoroughly investigate the incident, and bring the motorcyclist involved to justice.”

In response to media queries, the police said on Wednesday that they were alerted to an accident involving a motorcycle, two lorries and a van along the SLE towards the Bukit Timah Expressway near the Tampines Expressway exit at around 10.40am on Tuesday.

An LTA enforcement officer, who was riding the motorcycle, was taken to the hospital where he later died, the police said. 

The authorities added that police investigations were ongoing.

The Commander of Traffic Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner Daniel Tan, said: “This was a tragic loss of life of a fellow law enforcer who died while executing his duty to keep our roads safe.

“The police will investigate this matter thoroughly, and ensure that those responsible will face the full brunt of the law.”