Tanjong Pagar accident: Merc driver charged with drink-driving

The Mercedes driver involved in an accident yesterday (Dec 11) was charged with drink driving after his car had allegedly mounted the kerb and hit four pedestrians.

Lim Kwong Fei, 41, is accused of committing the offence outside Amara Hotel at around 6.30pm on Thursday.

 He was said to be under the influence of alcohol.

The vehicle had supposedly veered to the right before hitting the four victims who were standing on a centre divider, reports The Straits Times.

The 41-year-old then allegedly drove against the flow of traffic along Tanjong Pagar Road towards Keppel Road before his car hit a lorry.

Upon impact, the Mercedes-Benz was said to have veered to the left, mounted a centre divider and hit a taxi on the other side of Tanjong Pagar Road towards Neil Road.

In court on Friday, Lim kept his head bowed as he sat in the dock.

A police prosecutor asked the court for a six-week adjournment and told the court that multiple victims were involved in this incident. The court also heard that more time is needed for their medical reports and that investigations are ongoing.

The four victims - three men and a woman - were reportedly taken to the hospital. The woman suffered abrasions and lacerations, while one Singaporean man was admitted to intensive care for observation while the other had suffered a fractured nose.

An Australian man who was also a victim of the accident is believed to have a spinal cord injury.

Lim was offered a bail of $15,000 and said that he intends to engage a lawyer. He will be back in court on Jan 18.

First-time offenders convicted of drink driving can be jailed for up to six months or fined between $1,000 and $5,000. 

Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to a year and fined between $3,000 and $10,000.