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A Singaporean man has been charged with dangerous driving over a four-car accident in New Zealand that killed a motorcyclist.
Lew Wei Kiong, 29, had been due in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday (Dec 8) to face a count of dangerous driving causing death.
Three new charges of dangerous driving causing injury were also due to be brought against him, reported the Otago Daily Times, but the case has been adjourned to Dec 22.
Lew, who works at the Energy Market Authority (EMA), was involved in the accident along the state highway in North Otago, about 20km south of Oamaru, on Nov 29.
EMA confirmed to Shin Min Daily News that Lew was an employee and that it was extending aid to two employees in New Zealand.
According to stuff.co.nz, Lew was driving a rented Toyota and had allegedly crossed the double yellow lines on the highway to overtake a group of cars.
He crashed into two cars and a motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction.
The passenger in the Toyota, who is also believed to be Singaporean, had to be cut from the car and was flown to Dunedin Public Hospital with serious injuries.
Five others suffered injuries, while the motorcyclist, 39-year-old Craig Alan Chambers, died at the scene.
New Zealand police had blamed the car crash on driver "inattention".
The accident also reportedly reignited a debate over tourist drivers and the condition of roads in New Zealand, with Labour Party MP Damien O'Connor suggesting that poor road design could have led to the crash.
He said that certain roads on the country's south island could be confusing for foreign drivers and clearer signage was needed.
Lew Wei Kiong, 29, had been due in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday (Dec 8) to face a count of dangerous driving causing death.
Three new charges of dangerous driving causing injury were also due to be brought against him, reported the Otago Daily Times, but the case has been adjourned to Dec 22.
Lew, who works at the Energy Market Authority (EMA), was involved in the accident along the state highway in North Otago, about 20km south of Oamaru, on Nov 29.
EMA confirmed to Shin Min Daily News that Lew was an employee and that it was extending aid to two employees in New Zealand.
According to stuff.co.nz, Lew was driving a rented Toyota and had allegedly crossed the double yellow lines on the highway to overtake a group of cars.
He crashed into two cars and a motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction.
The passenger in the Toyota, who is also believed to be Singaporean, had to be cut from the car and was flown to Dunedin Public Hospital with serious injuries.
Five others suffered injuries, while the motorcyclist, 39-year-old Craig Alan Chambers, died at the scene.
New Zealand police had blamed the car crash on driver "inattention".
The accident also reportedly reignited a debate over tourist drivers and the condition of roads in New Zealand, with Labour Party MP Damien O'Connor suggesting that poor road design could have led to the crash.
He said that certain roads on the country's south island could be confusing for foreign drivers and clearer signage was needed.
