A 73-year-old woman died after a collision involving her personal mobility device (PMD) and a lorry in Toa Payoh on the morning of July 7. The 34-year-old male driver of the lorry was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and suspected drug-related offences, according to a police statement. The accident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Lorong 6 Toa Payoh towards Lorong 1 Toa Payoh.
Investigation and Arrest
Following the crash, authorities discovered drug paraphernalia inside the lorry. Police also identified items believed to be duty-unpaid cigarettes in the driver’s possession. The case has been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for the suspected drug offences and to Singapore Customs for the customs-related matters. The driver was taken into police custody at approximately 11:00 a.m. while the victim was transported unconscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she later died.
The number of elderly people who died in traffic accidents in Singapore more than doubled from 11 in 2024 to 27 in 2025.
Context of Rising Traffic Fatalities
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing road fatalities. In 2025, Singapore recorded 149 traffic-related deaths, marking a 10-year high compared to 141 deaths in 2016 and 142 in 2024. Recent months have seen multiple traffic accidents involving the use of illicit substances. For example, in May 2025, a collision in Punggol involving a car and a bus resulted in the death of a 28-year-old female passenger. Police later discovered 42 vapes and over 1,200 pods, some containing etomidate, in that vehicle.
The rise in traffic fatalities, particularly among the elderly and in cases involving controlled substances, suggests a growing challenge for road safety enforcement. The intersection of suspected drug-related activity and traffic accidents—evidenced by both the Toa Payoh incident and the May 2025 Punggol collision—highlights a pattern that authorities are currently investigating.
What Happens Next
As investigations remain ongoing, the driver faces potential charges for dangerous driving causing death. The involvement of the Central Narcotics Bureau and Singapore Customs suggests that the driver could face additional legal action regarding the suspected drug paraphernalia and duty-unpaid cigarettes. Further details regarding the circumstances of the crash, including witness accounts of the victim being thrown upon impact, will likely be reviewed by investigators as part of the formal inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the charges against the lorry driver?
The 34-year-old driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and suspected drug-related offences.
What items were found in the lorry?
Police discovered drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and items believed to be duty-unpaid cigarettes in the driver’s possession.
Where did the accident occur?
The collision took place on Lorong 6 Toa Payoh towards Lorong 1 Toa Payoh at approximately 10:15 a.m. on July 7.
How can road safety measures be better tailored to protect vulnerable road users like PMD riders?