Coroner rules out effects of flu drug in Ferrari crash

SINGAPORE: A coroner’s inquest into the death of Ferrari driver Ma Chi has ruled out the possibility that the flu drugs found in his body was a factor in the crash.

The court heard on Wednesday that traces of chlorpheniramine, an antihistaminic drug used to treat flu or allergy, was found in Ma’s urine sample.

However, State Coroner Imran Abdul Hamid on Friday rejected the possibility of the medication having any effect on Ma, as the drug was "in the process of being excreted out" from Ma’s body.

He noted that Ma, who was travelling at 178 kilometres per hour before the crash, had "created a situation where it was extremely difficult to react to road conditions".

Mr Imran revealed these findings at a coroner’s inquiry into the high—profile accident on 12 May 2012, which left three people dead.

He concluded that Ma, a Chinese national, died from severe head injuries when his car crashed into the side of Mr Cheng Teck Hock’s taxi.

According to an autopsy report, both 52—year—old Cheng and his passenger, 41—year—old Japanese national Ito Shigemi, died from multiple injuries.

The inquiry heard that Ma, who had previously owned a BMW 3 Series car, was out "practising" his driving before picking up his friend Ms Wu Wei Wei from a nightclub in Clarke Quay.

The subsequent crash occurred at the junction of Rochor Road and Victoria Street.

The accident was recorded by various CCTVs and an in—vehicle camera of Ma’s car, which Mr Imran noted was a "keypiece" as it gave "relatively good driver’s perspective".

After examining the footage and eyewitness accounts, Mr Imran found that Ma was "trying to beat the red light" and that the taxi driver had the right of way.

He noted that Ma had been driving at 169 kilometres per hour when he reached a pedestrian crossing —— some 58 metres away from the crash site.

Although the traffic lights ahead at the Rochor Road junction had turned red, Ma did not slow down.

Instead, he accelerated to 178 kilometres per hour which was almost three times the 60 kilometres per hour speed limit for the road. He crashed into Mr Cheng’s taxi about two seconds later.

Mr Imran debunked the notion that the car being in "race" transmission control mode was a significant factor in the case.

Mr Imran also offered his condolences to Mr Cheng’s family who turned up in court.

Their lawyer, Mr Liew Yik Wee, later told the media that the family was "relieved by the outcome" and that the inquest brought "closure".

Lawyers representing Ma’s family estate also told the media that Ma’s wife, who is currently in China with Ma’s two daughters, is planning to come back to Singapore at a later date.

AXA Singapore is currently locked in a separate ongoing civil case with Ma’s family estate, and a pre—trial conference is expected to be held.

— CNA/jc