Suspect identified to Indonesian authorities in Singapore crash that killed 6-year-old; name withheld

Singapore police have named a car driver as a suspect in a road accident that killed a six-year-old Indonesian girl and left her mother seriously injured.

Indonesia’s embassy in Singapore confirmed the development on Monday as investigations continue.

According to a statement relayed by the embassy, the driver involved in the incident has been formally designated a suspect by the Singapore Police Force.

No charges have been announced at this stage, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Accident and victims

The victims were identified as Indonesian nationals Raisha Anindra Pascasiswi, 31, and her daughter, Sheyna Lashira Smaradiani, 6.

The accident occurred in Singapore’s Chinatown area, near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a popular tourist site.

They were struck by a car while crossing the entrance to a car park along South Bridge Road on Friday, 6 February.

The Singapore Police Force said it was alerted to the incident at about 11:50 am, involving a car and two pedestrians.

Both victims were conscious when they were conveyed to Singapore General Hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

However, police said Sheyna later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.

Investigation status

Thomas Ardhian Siregar, deputy head of Indonesia’s diplomatic mission in Singapore, said the driver had been secured by police immediately after the accident.

“So at this point, the status is still that of a suspect,” Thomas told Indonesian news outlet kumparan on Monday, according to remarks shared by the embassy.

He declined to disclose further details about the suspect’s identity, citing the ongoing investigation and legal process in Singapore.

Thomas explained that the suspect was detained briefly but later released in accordance with local regulations.

“On the first day, the suspect was detained. But under Singapore regulations, a person cannot be held for more than 48 hours without a court decision,” he said.

“Because there has been no court ruling yet, the suspect was released in accordance with the law,” he added.

However, according to local media reports, the police only announced the arrest of the driver on Sunday (8 Feb).

Ongoing police probe

Despite the suspect’s release, Thomas stressed that the investigation remains active and could still result in further action.

“Police will collect evidence through forensic investigations and examine witnesses if there are any,” he said. “The suspect will be summoned again when necessary, and we will monitor this process.”

According to the Singapore Police Force, investigations into the circumstances of the collision are continuing. No timeline has been provided for their conclusion.

Legal assistance for the family

Thomas said the Indonesian embassy would provide full legal assistance to the family, including appointing a lawyer to accompany the case in Singapore.

“We will certainly assist with legal accompaniment,” he said.

He added that Raisha’s husband, Ashar Ardianto, had expressed a clear wish for the matter to be pursued through formal legal channels.

“The family has expressed their wish for this to be processed legally so that justice can be served fairly,” Thomas said.

The embassy, he noted, has longstanding legal partners in Singapore and will facilitate meetings between the appointed lawyer and the family to gather information and prepare necessary documentation.

Medical condition of survivor

Thomas visited Raisha at Singapore General Hospital on Monday and said her condition had shown improvement, though she remains under close medical observation.

“Thank God, when I visited her at the hospital, Ms Raisha was conscious and able to communicate, although she is still weak,” he said.

Raisha is currently being treated in the High Dependency Unit. According to information provided by her husband, doctors are continuing detailed observations and are planning further medical procedures.

“The doctors said there would be treatment involving the lungs, but the details are still pending further observation,” Thomas said.

Informing her of her daughter’s death

Thomas said Raisha was informed of her daughter’s death only on the second day after the accident, following medical advice.

“Her husband wanted to tell her immediately, but doctors did not allow it because they were worried her condition might deteriorate,” he said.

“Only on the second day, after doctors said it was safe, was the news conveyed,” he added.

The decision was taken to reduce the risk of severe shock, as Raisha had been in critical condition following the collision, according to the embassy.

“The consideration was purely medical. Doctors wanted to ensure the patient’s physical and mental condition was stable enough before receiving the news,” Thomas said.

Burial in Jakarta

Sheyna’s body was repatriated to Indonesia and buried at Tanah Kusir public cemetery in South Jakarta. The coffin arrived at the cemetery at about 11:20 a.m. local time on Sunday.

Dozens of family members and relatives attended the burial. Mourners accompanied the coffin while carrying photographs of the child.

Ashar Ardianto was seen visibly distressed as the coffin was lowered into the grave, with relatives offering support and condolences. Prayers were led by family members, followed by the scattering of flowers at the gravesite.

Embassy support

Thomas said the Indonesian embassy would continue to assist the family throughout Raisha’s recovery, including with accommodation and administrative matters in Singapore.

Raisha’s husband is expected to remain in Singapore while she undergoes treatment. The embassy is working to help ease the financial burden of his stay.

“During his time here, he may need assistance with accommodation. We are looking for solutions so that he does not have to bear all the costs on his own while staying in Singapore,” Thomas said.

The embassy, he added, would continue to accompany the family through the medical, administrative and legal processes until the case is resolved.

Public scruntiny on accident

Public attention intensified after eyewitness Nguyen Thi Hanh shared an account on social media, saying she had been walking behind the victims when the crash occurred.

Nguyen alleged that a car emerged from the nearby car park and turned without checking for pedestrians on the right.

 She claimed the vehicle’s front wheel ran over the child’s abdomen and the mother’s leg, and that the rear wheel later rolled over the mother’s abdomen after the car moved forward.

She described the scene as traumatic, stating that the girl was thrown to the ground with severe bleeding. Another bystander, Hannah Đặng, also said the child’s father arrived shortly after and pleaded for help while holding his daughter.

In a later post, Nguyen expanded on her original account, claiming the driver did not stop immediately and appeared unaware of having hit anyone.

She further alleged that, after exiting the car, the driver denied fault and became involved in a tense exchange with the child’s father.