Motoring @ AsiaOne

Motorist killed in horrific car crash was speeding

Coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure into his death. -ST
Elena Chong

Tue, Apr 01, 2008
The Straits Times

A motorist died about two hours after his two-seater Toyota car hit a tree on the centre road divider, ploughing into two parked vehicles before splitting apart, a coroner's court heard on Tuesday.

Mr Kelvin Pang Thong-Zhee, 29, who was self-employed, died of multiple injuries in hospital at about 3.15am on June 7 last year, while his girlfriend, Ms Emmeline Lin Yumei, 26, was seriously injured.

Ms Lin, a flight attendant, was warded for about a month, followed by rehabilitation at a community hospital. She attended a coroner's inquiry into Mr Pang's death on Tuesday with her aunt and a friend.

Ms Lin, who was wheeled into court, is still on medical leave. Her right leg is in cast.

Testifying at the inquiry, senior investigation officer Saba'aton Abas said in her investigation report that circumstantial evidence suggested that Mr Pang could have lost control of the car, causing it to veer right towards the centre divider along Yishun Avenue 1 that day.

After mounting the divider, it hit a tree. The impact caused the car to hit a parked lorry and a coach, on the opposite side of the road.

The Toyota split into two and landed along Yishun Avenue 1 in the direction of Orchid Country Club. The debris from the wrecked car were scattered all around.

Station Inspector Saba'aton said the couple were heading home when the accident happened at around 1am. Ms Lin could not recall how and what happened before the crash.

The officer said there was enough evidence to suggest that the motorist was travelling more than the 60 kmh-limit before he lost control of the car.

State Coroner Victor Yeo accepted the report and recorded a verdict of misadventure on Mr Pang's death.

 
 
 
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