Youth accused of causing fatal accident while driving van without a licence

A youth who allegedly drove a van, although he did not have a licence to do so, and caused an accident that killed his front-seat passenger was charged in court on Sept 17.

- Shaffiq Alkhatib Court Correspondent

Weaver Chiam Zheng Jie, 20, is facing one count each of driving without a licence and causing the death of Mr Michael Ong Wee Siong, 21, by driving without due care and attention.

Chiam, then 18, was driving the van along the PIE towards Tuas shortly before 7.40am on Dec 31, 2023, when he allegedly failed to maintain proper control of the vehicle, which collided with a lorry.

During an earlier coroner’s inquiry, the court heard that the van flipped, and Mr Ong died from a neck injury following the crash.