Flu drug has no effect on dead Ferrari driver: Coroner's Inquest

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 of the crash. 

A previous inquiry heard 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 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. 

However, he noted that Ma Chi, who was travelling at 178 kilometres per hour , had "created a situation where it was extremely difficult to react to road conditions". 

Mr Imran made these findings at a coroner's inquiry today into the high-profile accident in May 2012, which left three people dead. 

He concluded that Ma, a China 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 student Ito Shigemi died from multiple injuries. 

The inquiry heard that Ma, who previously owned a BMW 3 Series, 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 AXA 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. 

MediaCorp understands that the civil case between insurance company AXA Singapore and Ma's family estate is still ongoing, and a pre-trial conference is expected.