Drink driver gets nearly 4 years' jail for accident that left auxiliary cop in vegetative state

After more than seven hours of drinking that included pit stops at three different locations, a man got into his car to drive home.

- Andrew Wong

For reasons unknown, Yoong Kok Kai, 44, ended up at Tuas Checkpoint instead on March 24, 2023, driving in excess of 100kmh. He lost control of his Lexus car before hitting an auxiliary police officer—leaving the man in a vegetative state and causing more than $37,290 in property damage.

"This was a needlessly senseless and tragic accident that stemmed from the accused's decision to not only drink but drive," said District Judge Kok Shu-En.

The judge added that beyond the damage to government property, Yoong caused grave hurt to a young man.

On March 17, Yoong was sentenced to three years and 10 months' jail. He will also be disqualified from holding all classes of driving licences for 10 years after his release.

Yoong had pleaded guilty on Feb 27 to causing grievous hurt by dangerous driving and driving under the influence.

The victim, Mr Ng Yi Shu, 30, who was on duty when the accident occurred, had a traumatic brain injury. Now bedbound and non-communicative, he has to be fed via a tube through his nose.