Three weeks after an intoxicated firewoman caused an accident at Cumberland, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne), two families are struggling with trauma and financial difficulties.
Chandani Mohabir, 28, lost control of her car along the Cumberland Public Road on December 23, 2022 and collided with a motorcycle driven by Angoy’s Avenue man Marley Ross. Ross was carrying his 2-year-old daughter Jasmine Ross who died in the accident.
Mohabir had her neighbour’s four children inside; they are now recovering from severe injuries.
The children’s mother, 32-year-old Sharon McDonald is now seeking justice as she struggles to get by and take care of her children.
The single mother of five, a domestic worker from East Canefield, Canje, is contemplating her next move as she is also faced with an eviction notice from her landlord. McDonald said she has been renting for the past three years but she is now unable to work and pay her rent given that she is the only caregiver for her injured children.
McDonald’s 11-year-old daughter Shavine Laundry suffered head injuries and according to her mother she has stopped talking, her eight-year-old son Javeer Blair also received head injuries, her ten-year-old, Shaveh Laundry is left traumatised while her five-year-old daughter Shania Blair has a knee injury.
Her youngest child, a two-year-old, was not involved in the accident.
“She [Shavine] has brain injuries, she don’t talk, now she trying to balance her weight…I don’t have anyone that helps me because I do domestic work for a living and I does do it to send them to school so they can get an education and make sure they have meals on the table.
“I cannot work because I have to look after her and the other children,” the frustrated woman said.
On December 30, Mohabir appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and placed on $100,000 bail for driving under the influence of alcohol.
When contacted by the News Room, Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bhaccus, related that a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The News Room was further informed that Marley Ross was taken back to the scene yesterday along with Mohabir.
Meanwhile, McDonald said she is not satisfied that the woman was placed on bail and noted that since the accident, her life has been far from normal.
She related her 11-year-old cannot consume solid food and has to use pampers which she cannot afford.
She said that the last trip to the clinic in Georgetown cost her $16,000. Due to their injuries, the children had to be taken in a hire car.
The single mother recalled that on the day of the accident, Mohabir who lives two houses away, arrived at the front her house and said she was taking the children to buy them something for Christmas.
Not long after they left Mohabir called McDonald and told her that she was involved in an accident and that the children were injured.
Based on footage seen by the News Room from a nearby shop, the car Mohabir was driving skid into the path of Marley and his baby on the motorcycle, pitching them off the bike. The car appeared to be speeding at the time.
Meanwhile, Marley’s wife and the mother of little Jasmine, Jamasie Carmichael disclosed that the accident has left her husband with broken leg, hand and toe. He now depends on a wheelchair to get around.
Carmichael told the News Room that they have a 5-year-old but that the child cannot start school because they are not financially capable to do so since Marley is unable to work.
The families are hoping that justice will be served.
They are open to assistance if persons are desirous of helping.
McDonald can be contacted on 6098703 or 327-2024. Carmichael can also be contacted on 690-3175.
What trauma on every side. That is what alcohol does to people. Now, Ms Mohabir has found herself in a bundle of worries which includes the death of an infant and serious injuries to other children l and also to the father of the deceased which has made him incapacitated. I hope that this would be a lesson to her and that she would learn from.her mistakes in a major way⁷. She should leave the alcoholic bottle alone whenever she sees it.