Family of Waterford man killed in Singapore collision sues drivers involved for $1m

Singapore (stock image)

Callum Lavery

The family of Irishman Donough Keane is suing the other two drivers involved in his fatal crash for $1m (€891,600.00).

Mr Keane, originally from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, died in 2015 when the taxi he was travelling in was involved in a crash. He had been travelling home from Changi airport after a long weekend in Japan with friends.

Now Mr Keane's brother, Colin Joseph Keane has filed a claim against taxi driver Ko Ngak Phweng and the second driver Tan Yeow Kim for the loss and damage suffered by his parents, The Straits Times reports.

His brother claims that as Mr Keane's life was "considerably shortened" by dying at 41-years-old and that his aged parents, who were dependent on him, have suffered loss and damage.

Mr Keane was working as a director at telecommunications company Singtel and earning a around $20,372 (€13,300) a month including allowances.

His brother claimed that Mr Keane suffered "serious and debilitating" head and spinal injuries from the accident caused by the negligence of both Mr Ko and Ms Tan.

While driving Mr Keane home, the taxi driver Mr Ko had failed to see a limousine that had stopped on his left and crashed into a black Mercedes-Benz driven by Ms Tan.

Ms Tan had missed an exit on the road, stopped her car, and was reversing against the flow of traffic to get to her exit.

In October 2016, at a court hearing Mr Ko admitted that by the time he saw the Ms Tan's car, it was too late to stop and taxi hit the back of the car, which surged forward and hit a bollard.

Two passengers survived the collision, however Mr Keane was pronounced dead at Tan Tock Seng Hospital at around 2.20am.

The taxi driver was sentenced to three weeks' jail and banned from driving for five years.

Ms Tan was sentenced to four weeks' jail and banned from driving for five years for dangerous driving.

Mr Keane's brother is now seeking damages in excess of $1m, including a monthly $1,500 allowance to each parent since the death of Mr Keane in 2015 and up to 10 years following the completion of the lawsuit.

A High Court pre-trial conference will be held today, June 19.