Former local actor Edmund Chen was charged in court on Wednesday, Jan 14, over a traffic offence that allegedly led to a serious accident involving a motorcyclist. Chen, who was named in court documents as Tan Kai Yuan, faces one count of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.
Details of the alleged accident
According to the charge, the incident occurred at approximately 12:09 p.m. on March 4, 2025. Chen was driving along the Ayer Rajah Expressway towards the Central Expressway when he allegedly slowed down unnecessarily and almost came to a stop on the road.
Court papers stated that he failed to keep a proper lookout to his right before making an abrupt lane change. As a result, his vehicle collided with a motorcycle that was overtaking his car at the time.
The collision caused grievous injury to the motorcyclist. However, the injuries were not described at this early stage of the court proceedings.
Court appearance and legal representation
The 63-year-old appeared solemn in court and stood in the dock with a bag slung over his torso. Mr Josephus Tan and Mr Cory Wong from Invictus Law represented him.
His lawyers told the court that they were ready with his case and wished to plead guilty on the spot, if possible. However, the prosecution said they were not ready to proceed at that time.
The prosecution is seeking a fine ranging from S$3,000 to S$5,000, as well as a five-year driving ban. If convicted, Chen could also face a jail term of up to two years, in addition to the fine and driving disqualification.
Chen is scheduled to return to court on January 29 to enter his plea.
Background on Edmund Chen
Edmund Chen is married to actress Xiang Yun and was a familiar face on local television in the 1990s and 2000s. He starred in several well-known productions, including Double Happiness, Zero to Hero, and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
He reportedly left the entertainment industry in the 2000s after the birth of his daughter, the younger of his two children. In a 2024 interview, Chen stated that he was ready to return to acting after a period away from the spotlight.
