A drunk motorist was sentenced to 33 months' jail and banned from driving for 12 years on Thursday for causing the death of a taxi driver and a car washer, and injuring three others.
Nasri Anwar, 31, pleaded guilty to causing the death of part-time cabby Ho Kat Cheong, 45, and Malaysian car washer Tan Teck Keong, 29, by dangerous driving along Woodlands Road at about 3.30am on June 29 last year.
He was travelling at about 95kmh when he applied his brakes while negotiating a bend, causing him to lose control of his Toyota sport utility vehicle which mounted a kerb, hit a road directional sign and a stationary taxi, as well as the two men standing there.
He also admitted injuring cabby Mok Poh Chiok, 52, car washers Chen Guotai, 34, a Chinese national, and Filipino Caro Elmer Leyson, 30, and drink driving, with his breath alcohol level almost twice the legal limit.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana said Nasri had drunk two bottles of Bourbon coke at about 2am that day before he drove his car aimlessly in the Choa Cho Kang area and entering the Kranji Expressway, with no destination in mind.
He exited at Woodlands Road, which he was unfamiliar with.
At the time, the five men were at the car washing bay and driveway of Sum Soon Tyre and Battery Service along Woodlands Road.
A Comfort taxi and CityCab taxi were parked at the driveway next to each other with the CityCab taxi parked on the right, closer to the road.
At about 3.30am Nasri was driving dangerously when he spotted people wiping taxis about 30m in front of him.
While negotiating a bend, he lost control of the car which skidded, veered to the left, mounted the road kerb and became airborne. The car hit a road sign and continued to move forward before landing on the road and ramming into the rear of the CityCab taxi, causing the latter to move to the left and hit the Comfort taxi parked next to it. The five men, who were standing near the CityCab taxi, were also hit.
Mr Ho and Mr Tan died on the spot of multiple injuries. The other three were taken to hospital, with Mr Chen and Mr Leyson warded for their injuries.
District Judge Marvin Bay described the case as a "very horrific accident'' caused by a toxic blend of Nasri's intoxication, reckless speed and callous disregard for for other road users.
"You are responsible for the death of two persons, and for irreversible injuries (caused) to others," he said.
Nasri, who is married with a child, could have been jailed for up to five years for causing death by dangerous driving; and fined up to $3,000 and/or jailed for up to 12 months for causing injuries. For drink driving, he could have been fined up to $5,000 fine or jailed for up to six months.
