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As the turn-off to the PIE neared, the four-lane road split into two two-lane sliproads, the one on the left leading to Changi Airport and the other, to Jurong. Mr Pang, who was taking his mother home to Toa Payoh, mistakenly took the latter, so he pulled over to the road shoulder and began reversing his car. Just then, the lorry driven by Mr Teo came along from behind and rammed into the back of his car. The impact sent the lorry into a few somersaults. When it came to rest, it lay on its roof, trapping Mr Teo inside. The force also sent Mr Pang's car headlong into the railings to the left of the expressway. He and his passengers escaped serious injury, but Mr Teo was not as lucky. By the time he was extricated by civil defence personnel, he was already dead from multiple injuries. A toxicology report later put his blood alcohol content at 183mg ethanol per 100ml of breath, which was more than twice the legal limit. His urine sample also tested positive for drugs like codeine and morphine. A consultant forensic pathologist said in his report that the level of ethanol in Mr Teo's body would have made him obviously drunk. He would have been slurring and unsteady on his feet. At the inquiry yesterday, Mr Pang, named as a potential defendant, elected to remain silent. The investigation report said that, by reversing his car along a road, he had broken traffic rules. State Coroner Victor Yeo said that, without evidence from him - including details like the manner and speed at which he reversed his car - the court was unable to say conclusively that his criminal negligence was the sole factor in Mr Teo's death. The coroner reminded motorists to drive responsibly, follow the traffic rules and 'refrain from drink driving at all times'.
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