A 29-year-old Malaysian man, Zhang Guosheng, was killed in a traffic accident at the intersection of Woodlands Avenue 10 and Woodlands Avenue 7 on 21 September. Zhang, a factory worker from Ipoh, usually commuted by motorcycle with his wife but opted to hitch a ride with a colleague that day as they planned to work overtime. The accident occurred while they were en route to fetch their wives from Woodlands MRT station.
## Background
Zhang worked for a curtain installation company in Sembawang. On the day of the accident, Zhang’s colleague, Zheng’s husband, decided to drive instead of taking the bus, as both men had to work late. Meanwhile, Zheng and Zhang’s wife decided to have dinner and shop while waiting for their husbands to finish work. The tragic accident happened as the men were on their way to pick up their wives.
## Working overtime
Zheng shared with Shin Min Daily News that she and Zhang’s wife rushed to the accident site upon hearing the news. They found Zhang on the ground, covered with a white cloth. “I heard that the impact force threw him out of the car,” Zheng recounted. Zhang’s colleague’s wife usually commuted by bus, but the change in routine due to overtime work led to the fatal incident.
## Driver had his head down
A Shin Min reporter attempted to interview the visibly shaken car driver, but traffic police intervened. The driver was later taken away by the police. The accident scene revealed a Malaysian-registered white car with severe rear damage and a smashed left door. A nearby BMW had its airbag deployed. Both drivers did not sustain serious injuries. The police have arrested the 33-year-old male car driver for careless driving causing death, and investigations are ongoing.
## Ongoing investigations
The police are continuing their investigation into the accident. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of road safety and the tragic consequences that can arise from even minor changes in routine. Zhang’s death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating impact of traffic accidents on families and communities.
