Updated: 02/13/2014 19:09 | By Channel NewsAsia
Drink driver gets 33-month jail, 12-year ban for fatal accident
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SINGAPORE: A drink driver was on Thursday slapped with a 33-month jail term and a 12-year driving disqualification for causing an accident that left two men dead.
31-year-old Nasri Anwar pleaded guilty to three charges that included driving dangerously and while under the influence of alcohol.
The court heard that at around 2am on 29 June 2013, Nasri consumed two bottles of Bourbon coke from a 7-11 store.
He then got into his car and drove aimlessly around the Choa Chu Kang area, before entering the Kranji Expressway, and later exiting at Woodlands Road.
At around 3.30am, taxi driver Ho Kat Cheong, 45, was having his taxi washed by 29-year-old Tan Teck Keong at Sum Soon Tyre and Battery Service along Woodlands Road.
The court heard that Nasri was driving down Woodlands Road at approximately 95km/h -- far exceeding the speed limit of 60km/h.
As he approached a bend, he applied the footbrake and handbrake, but lost control of the car which skidded, mounted a kerb, crashed onto a road sign and hit a stationary taxi, which collided with another cab.
Nasri's car also hit Mr Ho, Mr Tan and three others.
Mr Ho and Mr Tan died at the scene, while the other three were injured and had to be taken to hospital.
A breathalyser test found that Nasri had 66 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his blood stream -- almost twice the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
In pressing for a deterrent sentence, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana said that Nasri had driven at excessive speed while intoxicated, and that he had no apparent reason to be on the road at the time.
Nasri, who was unrepresented, said in mitigation that he was "very remorseful" and had drunk the alcohol as he was feeling stressed from marital problems.
He also asked the court for leniency, saying that he is the sole breadwinner and has a wife and a young child to support.
In handing down the sentence, District Judge Marvin Bay called the accident "horrific", and noted that it was caused by a "toxic blend of intoxication, reckless speed and callous unconcern for other road users". - CNA/gn
