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Singapore Driver Sentenced in Fatal Road Stunt: Public Calls Sentence Too Light
- Jasmine Toh
- Jun 29, 2025
- 2 min read
Jarrett Tee Lee Kiat was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months’ jail and disqualified from driving for 10 years after causing the death of 18-year-old Leann Lim during a reckless driving incident along the East Coast Parkway. The crash happened during what was described as a “blocking and braking game,” in which Tee had aggressively tailed and swerved near a motorcyclist carrying Lim as a passenger.
According to various news sources, moments before the collision, Tee reportedly taunted his passengers, asking if they wanted to “see the motorcycle fly.” After the crash, he showed little remorse, making callous comments that stunned both the victim’s family and the public.
Under Singapore law, dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 8 years’ imprisonment, a fine, and mandatory disqualification from driving. When sentencing, courts typically look at factors such as the degree of recklessness, whether the driver displayed remorse, if they pleaded guilty, and the involvement of the victim — for example, whether the victim was also participating in risky behaviour.
In this case, while the court acknowledged Tee’s dangerous conduct and troubling comments, it also noted that the victim was an active participant in the race, which is often considered a mitigating factor in sentencing. Courts generally aim for proportionality, balancing aggravating factors (like deliberate aggression or lack of remorse) with mitigating ones (such as cooperation, plea of guilt, or partial victim participation).
Nevertheless, many in the public felt the sentence was too lenient, given the deliberate nature of Tee’s actions and the tragic loss of life. For families, no prison term can truly reflect the devastation of losing a loved one so young and suddenly — a reality that often makes sentences in fatal traffic cases feel insufficient, regardless of legal guidelines.
This case highlights the delicate challenge faced by the justice system: balancing legal principles of consistency and proportionality with the public’s demand for justice and the pain of grieving families.