Five months later, Firewoman charged with causing death of 2-year-old; granted $400k bail

The firewoman who caused the death of a 2-year-old girl during an accident along the Cumberland, East Canje Public Road in December 2022 was Tuesday charged and granted bail in the sum of $400,000 after making an appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

Chandani Mohabir, 28, of New Area Canefield, East Canje Berbice was charged with the offense of causing death by dangerous driving.

The details of the offence stated that on Friday, December 23, 2022, she drove motorcar PGG 278 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Jasmine Ross.

Mohabir was represented by Attorney Chandra Sohan and appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh. The case was adjourned to June 02, 2023 and transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court.

Mohabir was previously charged with DUI. She had appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and pleaded not guilty to the offense of driving a motor vehicle while above the prescribed alcohol limit. She was placed on $100,000 bail and ordered to lodge her passport at the court.

Mohabir, who is attached to the New Amsterdam Fire Station, was intoxicated and speeding when she lost control along the Cumberland Public Road and collided with the motorcycle which had the two-year-old as the pillion rider.

According to reports, the firewoman was driving PGG-278 north along the western lane when the vehicle skidded onto the eastern lane.

The motorcyclist, Marley Ross, was proceeding south along the eastern lane at a normal rate of speed.

Because of the extent of the impact, Ross and his two-year-old daughter were flung into the air and landed on the eastern parapet where they both received injuries.

The car then skidded onto the eastern grass parapet and crashed into a bridge before coming to an abrupt halt inside a fence.

The accident, which occurred at about 15:00hrs, resulted in other injuries. Shaniya McLeod, 8; Shavine Laundry, 10; and Javeer Blair, 5 (all occupants of the car).

A Breathalyzer test conducted on Mohabir revealed a blood alcohol level of .45 micrograms- an amount significantly above the legal limit.