Kervin Ang’s Reckless Ride Leaves Malaysian Teen Traumatic Brain Injury
In a case that’s as shocking as it is heartbreaking, a Singaporean delivery driver dared to roll a lorry at a blistering 145 km/h when the official speed limit was only 70 km/h. The result? A 23‑year‑old Malaysian victim, Mr Kiew Lian Khooi, suffered a traumatic brain injury and has since been bedridden.
The Chaotic Commute
- Ang, who had a long‑standing poor driving record, was suspended from driving from Oct 6 to Nov 2 last year.
- Despite the suspension, he flouted the rules and pushed the lorry, choosing the extreme left lane of the four‑lane Pan‑Island Expressway just after dawn.
- Within minutes, the vehicle was outracing the limit and skidded as it tried to overtake—crashing straight into the guard rail.
- The lorry toppled sideways, jammed against the centre rail, leaving Mr Kiew utterly unresponsive and bleeding.
Mr Kiew’s Suffering
After the collision, a frantic rush to the National University Hospital turned into 30‑day shelter as Mr Kiew battled a serious brain injury. In the end, he was flown by ambulance to a hospital in Ipoh—a picturesque town in his home state of Perak—on Nov 11 last year.
Key details from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP):
- Victim was still a bedbound husk in July, dependent on family for gender‑specific care.
- He could barely move fingers and needed constant feeding and diaper changes.
- The anger over Ang’s reckless behavior was palpable, with the prosecutor urging a 2‑3 year jail term.
- The defence pushed for an 18‑month sentence, citing Ang’s fear of job loss and misguided commitment to work.
Ang’s Judgment & Penalties
- On Oct 14, 2024, Ang was sentenced to two years in jail and fined SGD 1 000.
- He also received an eight‑year driving ban, covering every class of vehicle.
- Ang had pleaded guilty, acknowledging the charges including a count of dangerous driving that caused grievous hurt.
What Should We Take Away?
This story reminds us that the law is not just about rules but life‑saving boundaries. Ang’s disregard for safety and regulation steeped a young man’s future bleakly. While we obviously wish justice, the bigger lesson is that you don’t drive a lorry on a rain‑slick road if you’re already “suspended” from the driver’s seat.
And if you still find yourself standing in front of a bleeding passenger—don’t forget that the legal system will haunt your conscience long after you’re behind bars.
