Female driver gets $520k bail in Nigg fatal accident

A 35-year-old woman was granted $520,000 bail when she appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence (DUI), Police Headquarters reported.

Khamwattie Mangar Karpen was not required to plea to the causing death charge and was placed on $500,000 bail.

As it relates to the DUI charge, Karpen pleaded not guilty and was placed on $20,000 bail. She made her appearance before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and was represented by attorney-at-Law Mr. Jagmohan.

Karpen was reportedly drunk when she crashed into Rajendra Khadaroo along the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Region Six on Friday last.

According to the police report, Magistrate Singh indicated that he knows the accused and the victim, personally, and as such he will recuse himself from the case.

He then referred both matters to the Chief Magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for re-assignment on May 25, 2022.

Police Headquarters had reported that a breathalyser test found Karpen’s alcohol level to be 94 and 98 micrograms.

The accident occurred at about 05:00hrs and according to the police report, Karpen was driving motorcar (HB 9593) east along the road while Khadaroo was reportedly speeding on motorcycle (CG 4684). It is alleged that while Karpen was trying to negotiate a turn, she ended up into the path of the motorcycle.

As a result of the collision, he was flung off the motorcycle and landed on the front windscreen of the car, and then fell onto the road. He sustained injuries to his head and body. Police said Khadaroo was not wearing a safety helmet.

The News Room understands that Khadaroo was heading home from the mosque when the accident occurred.

He was the co-owner of Sharon’s Halall Snackette located along the Albion Public Road.