Singapore — A delivery driver accidentally killed his two friends during a late night drive after a birthday celebration.
During the court hearing on Wednesday (Sept 11), Joseph Low Moh Boon pleaded guilty to one charge of causing the deaths of his two friends, Aaron Prem Michael (25) and Chioh Hong Heng (43).
On Oct 19, 2018, Low had finished his deliveries after a long day’s work when his friend Chioh invited him out to celebrate.
It was Low’s birthday the next day.
Even though Low told Chioh that he was tired from work, he conceded.
The pair then picked up Michael in Ang Mo Kio, and they all went out for a drink in Jalan Besar.
The friends reportedly shared three jugs of beer among themselves.
After the revelry, the friends rode in Low’s van as he sped along Bukit Timah Road way above the speed limit.
Low was driving at 117 to 122 km/h. The legal speed limit was only 60km/h.
Low did not slow down as they approached a junction. At about 3:30AM, the van mounted a kerb and crashed into a tree.
Paramedics pronounced Chioh and Michale dead on the spot at around 3:30 AM.
Low was unconscious and was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital but was discharged after four days.
According to a report by Today, Low was found to have traces of ketamine in his blood during the accident. His blood alcohol content was at 78mg per 100ml of blood, almost nearing the legal limit of 80mg per 100ml.
The prosecutor argued for two years of jail and a 12-month driving ban for Low considering he had a previous history of speeding.
For his crime, Low could face up to five years of jail along with the incurred fines./TISG