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Three men, aged between 29 and 36, will be charged in court on 5 March 2026 for driving under the influence of etomidate and other traffic related offences. The facts of the cases are as follows:

Case 1

On 3 January 2026 at about 9pm, the Police were alerted to a traffic accident at the cross junction of Pasir Ris Drive 6 and Pasir Ris Drive 1. Upon Police's arrival, officers found that two cars had collided head-on at the junction.

Investigations revealed that a 36-year-old driver had made an illegal right turn from Pasir Ris Drive 1 and continued to drive against the flow of traffic along Pasir Ris Drive 6. While travelling against traffic, his car approached a stationary motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist to quickly move his motorcycle out of the way to avoid a collision. The driver continued to drive forward against the flow of traffic and struck a second car that was stationary at the traffic light.

The driver was found to have inhaled from an e-vaporiser containing etomidate prior to the accident. An e-vaporiser and a pod found in the driver’s vehicle were seized. 

For driving under the influence of etomidate and driving against the flow of traffic, the 36-year-old-driver will be charged with: 

1. Driving under the influence of substance under Section 67(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961; and 
2. Dangerous driving under Section 64(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

Case 2

On 19 September 2025 at about 7.30pm, the Police were alerted to a traffic accident along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3. Upon Police's arrival, officers found that a car had collided with a motorcycle at the junction of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3 and Brickland Road. The motorcyclist was stationary and waiting for the traffic light to turn green when the collision occurred.

Investigations revealed that the 30-year-old driver had been driving erratically, swerving left and right within the right lane before the collision occurred. At the scene, the driver exhibited an unsteady gait and behaved incoherently. He was also observed throwing objects out of his car window, which were later recovered by officers and found to be e-vaporisers and pods. These items were seized.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the driver had inhaled from an e-vaporiser containing etomidate before driving. 

For driving under the influence of etomidate, being involved in an accident and attempted disposal of the e-vaporisers and pods, the 30-year-old driver will be charged with: 

1. Driving under the influence of substance under Section 67(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961;  
2. Driving without due care and attention under Section 65(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961; and 
3. Obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating course of justice under Section 204A of the Penal Code 1871.

Case 3

On 10 August 2025 at about 9pm, the Police were alerted to an accident involving a car that had collided with a traffic light at the cross junction of Bedok North Avenue 3 and Bedok North Road. The Police conducted a check on the 29-year-old male driver and two e-vaporisers were found in his possession and 38 pods were found in his bag. The driver admitted to conducting delivery services for pods containing etomidate. He was arrested for driving under the influence of substance and driving without due care and attention. The e-vaporisers and pods were seized.

While being investigated for the August 2025 case, the driver was involved in a fatal traffic accident on 8 November 2025 at about 3pm, along Teck Whye Lane. Investigations revealed that two female pedestrians were standing on the pavement preparing to cross the road when the driver mounted the pavement and collided with both pedestrians. An 84-year-old woman was hospitalised with injuries including a fractured left hip and left wrist. Another 83-year-old female pedestrian was found unconscious at the scene. She was conveyed unconscious to hospital where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 4.10pm on the same day. The driver was arrested at the scene and subsequently found to have inhaled from an e-vaporiser containing etomidate.

The 29-year-old driver will be charged with: 

1. Dangerous driving causing death under Section 64(1)(b) read with Section 64(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1961; 
2. Dangerous driving causing grievous hurt under Section 64(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961; 
3. Driving under the influence of substance under Section 67(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961; and 
4. Driving without due care and attention under Section 65(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. 

The driver is also being investigated for additional traffic offences including driving without due care and attention on 8 July 2025 and 16 July 2025 respectively, as well as failing to conform to a red traffic light signal on 5 July 2025.

Refer to Annex A for penalties of the offences and Annex B for photographs of the cases.

Driving under the influence of drugs is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act. The Police will take firm action against motorists who drive under the influence of drugs, psychoactive substances, intoxicating substances or alcohol. Motorists must not drive if they are under the influence of any substance that affects their ability to drive safely, and should use alternative transport instead. All motorists are reminded to abide by traffic laws to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Annex A

• The offence of driving under the influence of a substance under Section 67(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, and a jail term of up to two years. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
  
  

• The offence of dangerous driving causing death under Section 64(1)(b) read with Section 64(2) punishable under Section 64(6)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a jail term of up to  8 years and as a serious offender under Section 64(6)(c), will be punishable with an additional jail term of not less than one year and not more than 2 years. The offender may be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles. 
  
  

• The offence of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt under Section 64(1)(b) read with Section 64(3) punishable under Section 64(7)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries an imprisonment term not less than one year and not more than 5 years and as a serious offender under Section 64(7)(c), will be punishable with an additional fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 and with an additional jail term of not less than six months and not more than one year.
  
  

• The offence of dangerous driving under Section 64(1)(b) punishable under Section 64(5)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine not exceeding $5,000 or jail term not exceeding 12 months or both and as a serious offender under Section 64(5)(c), will be punishable with an additional fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 or with an additional jail term of not exceeding 12 months or to both.
  
  

• The offence of driving without due care or reasonable consideration under Section 65(1)(a) punishable under Section 65(5)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine of up to $1,500, or imprisonment term of up to six months, or both and as a serious offender under Section 65(5)(c), will be punishable with an additional fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 or with an additional jail term of not exceeding 12 months or to both. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
  
  

• The offence of obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating course of justice under Section 204A of the Penal Code 1871 carries a jail term which may extend to 7 years, or a fine, or both.

Annex B

Case 1: E-vaporiser and pod found on driver’s seat.

Case 2: Car used by the 30-year-old-driver who was arrested for driving under influence of etomidate.

Case 2: Vape devices and pods disposed by the 30-year-old-driver.

Case 3: E-vaporiser and pods belonging to a 29-year-old man who collided with a traffic light pole while driving under influence of substance at the cross junction of Bedok North Avenue 3 and Bedok North Road.