From Edmund Chen to Rui En: Singapore celebs caught in car crashes and DUI scandals

Singapore television veteran Edmund Chen made headlines earlier this month when he was charged for causing grievous hurt to a motorcyclist after allegedly driving without due care on the Ayer Rajah Expressway. The 64-year-old actor, known for Star Maiden and Patrol, is expected to plead guilty later this month and could face jail, fines, and a driving ban if convicted.

While Chen’s case is the most recent, he is far from the only local celebrity to find themselves on the wrong side of traffic laws. From minor fender-benders to serious drunk-driving offences, a number of familiar faces have faced legal repercussions for driving-related incidents over the years.

Edmund Chen 

According to court documents, the 64-year-old was driving along the Ayer Rajah Expressway towards the Central Expressway at around noon in March last year when he allegedly slowed down unnecessarily and came to a stop, resulting in an accident involving a motorcyclist.

Chen was charged on 14 January and is expected to plead guilty on 29 January. If convicted, he could face a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up to $5,000, and a driving ban of up to five years.

Huang Yiliang 

In 2024, former actor Ng Ai Leong—better known by his stage name Huang Yiliang—was fined $3,000 and handed a five-year driving ban after driving his van into a cyclist while exiting a slip road, causing the victim to suffer a fractured elbow.

Huang was a familiar face on local television for more than two decades before setting up his own production company in 2008. He was previously married to actress Lin Meijiao; the couple divorced in 1997 and share a daughter, actress Chantalle Ng.

This was not Huang’s first brush with the law. In 2021, he was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment after being convicted of assaulting a Bangladeshi worker.

Chen Hanwei 

Also in 2024, Malaysia-born, Singapore-based actor-host Chen Hanwei was involved in a minor car accident with a cyclist. The cyclist alleged that Chen failed to signal while turning into his apartment complex along Irrawaddy Road in Balestier, causing him to lose his balance and fall.

According to local media reports, Chen—known for his roles in popular series such as Morning Express and The Dream Makers—did not apologise at the scene, but asked the cyclist if he was alright. It was reported that the cyclist later filed a police report, though he sustained only minor injuries and did not require medical attention.

Elvin Ng and Romeo Tan

In 2019, while in Taipei to promote their drama All Is Well, Elvin Ng and Romeo Tan were involved in a car accident. The pair were seated in the back of a taxi when it was rear-ended by a coach bus.

Reports at the time said Ng briefly blacked out following the impact, experienced slight blurring of vision, and sustained injuries to his ankle and knee. Tan was also said to have felt unwell. The duo later reassured fans that they were “doing fine.”

Gurmit Singh

In 2021, local comedian and actor Gurmit Singh was fined $800 and banned from driving for three months after pleading guilty to speeding. He was caught driving at 131kmh on a road with a 70kmh speed limit.

The then 56-year-old had his 19-year-old son in the car at the time and was reported to be driving an Audi A8 L when the offence occurred.

Rui En

Almost a decade ago, television star Rui En was fined $700 for driving without due care and attention. She pleaded guilty to failing to maintain proper control of her BMW, which mounted a kerb and struck a parked motorcycle in the carpark near Block 331, Clementi Avenue 2. Following the ruling, Rui En bowed and apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Qi Yuwu

In 2012, the China-born actor based in Singapore sustained cuts to his face, neck, and legs after his car was involved in a six-vehicle pile-up along Upper Thomson Road. The accident occurred around 10pm as he was driving home. Reports said that his parents flew in from China after learning about the incident.

Christopher Lee 

In 2006, veteran actor Christopher Lee was involved in one of the biggest celebrity scandals of the time after being found guilty of drunk driving. He hit a motorcyclist and the rider’s pillion passenger, and was reported to have fled the scene. For his actions, Lee was sentenced to four weeks’ jail, fined $4,500, and banned from driving for three years.

Roz Pho 

In 2019, Dutch national Roz Pho, who appeared in the television series Tanglin, was fined $1,750 after pleading guilty to a drunk driving charge. She had reportedly consumed two glasses of wine at The Wine Company bistro in Dempsey Road before driving home along Holland Road towards Ulu Pandan Road. Pho failed a breathalyser test at a police roadblock, registering 47 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath—exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms. The Singapore permanent resident was also banned from driving all classes of vehicles for 15 months.

Edwin Goh 

In 2022, Fighting Spiders star Edwin Goh, then 28, was fined $6,500 and disqualified from driving for three years after being convicted of drunk driving. He had gone to a restaurant in the Golden Mile area before heading to a nearby bar for drinks.

While driving along Aljunied Road in the early hours of the morning, Goh was stopped by police and found to have 81 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath—more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Officers reported that he smelled strongly of alcohol and was subsequently apprehended.

Shane Pow

In 2021, actor Shane Pow was sentenced to five weeks’ jail, fined $6,000, and banned from driving for five years after being caught drunk driving his van in the Bugis area. This marked the Unforgivable star’s second drink-driving offence. His first offence occurred in 2014, when he was 23 and had just obtained his driver’s license; he was fined $2,300 at the time.

Sharon Au

In 2001, Paris-based actress Sharon Au was charged in court for using her handphone while driving. Reports said she had answered the call as she was expecting a work-related call. She was subsequently fined $8,000 and banned from driving for six months.

Terence Cao 

In 2005, actor and livestreamer Terence Cao was charged with drunk driving after failing a breathalyser test. He was fined $4,100 and had his driving license revoked for two years.

Quan Yi Fong

In 2013, talkshow host Quan Yi Fong hit a pedestrian while making a turn at a traffic junction, even though the signal was green. She later explained that she had been following the car ahead and failed to check if the junction was clear of pedestrians. Quan was fined $800 and barred from driving for three months.