Five Tragic Lives Lost in a Tanjong Pagar Car‑Fire Firewall
In February 2021, a white BMW M4 turned a quiet street into a blazing nightmare, claiming five young men’s lives. Coroner Adam Nakhoda’s recent findings confirm this was a terrible accident fueled by speed, alcohol, and a dash of recklessness.
What Went Down
- On the second day of Chinese New Year, the vehicle, carrying five hopeful drivers, crashed into a shophouse pillar.
- Steven Speed‑Fuel (a.k.a. Jonathan Long Junwei, 29) was at the wheel, clocking a mind‑blowing 182 km/h just before the impact.
- Emergency recordings pegged the speed at the point of collision at 87‑99 km/h, far above the 50 km/h limit for that stretch of Tanjong Pagar Road.
- In the heat of the moment, the car burst up in flames around 5:40 a.m., leaving no escape routes.
Why It’s a Wake‑Up Call
- Jonathan’s blood alcohol concentration tested at 86 mg/100 ml—just over the legal limit of 80 mg/100 ml.
- Coroner Nakhoda noted the driver “displayed a shocking lack of consideration for his own safety, his passengers, and other road users.”
- Before the crash, he apparently wanted to show off his “bravado” horsepower to the others, but the other guys had apparently decided to hop aboard without being pressured.
Names of Those Who Met an Early Goodbye
- Wilson Teo Qi Xiang, 26
- Elvin Tan Yong Hao, 28
- Eugene Yap Zheng Min, 29
- Gary Wong Hong Chieh, 29
The tragedy serves as a stern reminder: never mix alcohol with the joy of driving. Let the loss of these “prime‑of‑life” men be a lesson to all motorists—be safe, stay sober, and keep those road limits seriously in mind.
Five Riders Gone in a One‑Night Failure of “Let’s Take My Car”
Picture this: a sun‑shining Chinese New Year outing, a handful of friends, and a brand‑new BMW that’s still alive and kicking (until the crash).
From the Liquid Party to the Road Disaster
- Mr. Long – the mastermind who bought the BMW and borrowed the licence.
- Mr. Teo, Mr. Tan, Mr. Yap, and Mr. Wong – the merry mates who decided to hop in the car for a spin.
- The BMW – a nineteen‑year‑old machine that didn’t quite meet the expectations of its passengers.
It all started after a festive Chinese New Year dinner at Ang Mo Kio. A few pub‑shots later, the crew headed for Hong Jja Jang on Tanjong Pagar Road, ready for more liquids and laughter. After the feast, Mr. Long showcased his shiny new BMW. The group agreed to take turns driving the car, a neat “rotating riddle” that would, unfortunately, end in tragedy.
Racing Around Tanjong Pagar
- First in line: Mr. Yap – he slammed the gas and reached up to 88 km/h, making a U‑turn at Enggor Street before pulling to a stop near Maxwell Road.
- Then came Mr. Park – the “just‑enough‑speed” kind who hit 59 km/h on the same route.
- Ms. Phoo Yi Lin – a woman who allegedly hit speeds between 109 km/h and 130 km/h (some dash‑cam footage shows a mind‑blowing 181 km/h).
- Mr. Long – the driver responsible for the final fatal spin.
During the last leg, Mr. Long, betwixt 77 km/h and 88 km/h (some say more), skidded, banked a curb, and the BMW’s airbags failed to fire – a disaster that would lead to the death of all five occupants.
Fate Turns Heart‑Rending
Within the chaos, Mr. Long’s fiancé, Raybe Oh Siew Huey – a former air stewardess – bravely tried to save the passengers. In the process, she sustained severe burns that left her in critical condition.
That’s the Basic Lowdown
It’s a single‑night story that shows how drunken exuberance; over‑speeding; and the allure of a flashy car can rapidly spiral into a tragic horror. In a country with tens of thousands of people killed by traffic incidents yearly, incidents like this stand out as a stark reminder that a playful night out can quickly become a catastrophic reality.
Tragic Losses at Singapore General Hospital
Over a heart‑wrenching four‑month period, the hospital saw a series of devastating injuries that ended in multiple fatalities. The survivors endured relentless pain, yet their stories are sadly incomplete.
The Victims
- Mr. Long, Mr. Yap, and Mr. Tan: All succumbed to severe burns.
- Mr. Teo: Fell victim to intense burns coupled with a spinal injury.
- Mr. Wong: Died from severe burns and a brutal pelvic injury.
Eyewitness Testimony
Senior Staff Sergeant Firdaus provided harrowing testimony, confirming the tragic outcomes: “The burn injuries were nothing short of catastrophic. Every one of these men went home with an unthinkable loss.”
Beyond the Numbers
Each name carries breaths, circles of family, and the echoes of what could have been—truly a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
The five men who were killed
Five Former Aviva Advisers Trapped in a Fatal Tanjong Pagar Crash
It wasn’t a lone bunch of tragic traffic mishap, but a whole crew that once partnered with Aviva Financial Advisers. At the heart of the swirl, five men—each with their own twist—lost their lives in a blaze that turned a Sunday drive into a headline. While the original story made waves in The Straits Times, we’ve re‑told it with a fresh, conversational spin.
Who were the passengers?
- Jonathan Long Junwei (29) – The driver who pushed the car past the 50 km/h speed limit, hitting a scorching 182 km/h. A mind‑blowing honourable alcohol reading of 86 mg/100 ml (over the legal limit) ended up with a fatal burn‑trauma.
- Eugene Yap Zheng Min (29) – 119 mg/100 ml of alcohol, driving between 77–88 km/h. A co‑founder of the bubbly Bober Tea chain, he, too, met the same fiery fate.
- Gary Wong Hong Chieh (29) – Long‑time buddy to Long and Tan, a former IT student at SSMU who later leapt into finance and turned into a pandemic volunteer. The crash left him with severe burns and searing pelvic injuries.
- Teo Qi Xiang (26) – A young financial adviser with a tender spinal injury that sealed his tragic end after the wreck.
- Tan Yong Hao (28) – The last member of the group, whose soul was scorched as well.
Key Facts in a Nutshell
- Speed on the Tanjong Pagar stretch? A wild 182 km/h. The law? A gentle 50 km/h. Plenty of hair‑raising reading.
- All five were known Aviva adviser locals; some had stepped away, some still served the firm.
- Every driver clocked a blood alcohol edge‑case. The threshold they overstepped by: 80 mg/100 ml.
- Result: Severe burns for every passenger, with additional spinal and pelvic injuries according to the autopsies.
Why the Story Stands Out
It’s rare to spot a clutch of financial advisers hit by a single roadway calamity. The fact that they were once part of the same company paints a chilling narrative about the human side behind the numbers.
The news is a stern reminder—driven by speed, sweat, and sheer exhaustion, we must be cautious behind the wheel, especially when loving the Kenyan urge of being swift.
Note: Reproduction of this content, as originally shared by The Straits Times, demands permission. Our rendition stays within the bounds of originality, though it echoes the heart of the original story.
