Businessman remanded after Bel Air hit-and-run accident 

A businessman was remanded on Friday following charges related to an incident that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Kimberley Jones from Bel Air Village.

Paul Mahabal, 33, from Montrose, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court.

Mahabal faces charges for not providing assistance and failing to stop after the accident, which took place on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards opposed bail, arguing that Paul, who collided with Kimberley, did not stop to assist after the incident.

Edwards informed the court that Paul passed both the Weldaad and Mahaicony Police Stations without reporting the accident and continued on his way until he was apprehended by police at a roadblock in Mahaicony.

Edwards also alerted the court that Paul poses a flight risk.

Following the Prosecutor’s statements, Magistrate Matthias ordered Paul to be taken into custody.

The case has been moved to the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court for disclosure on July 16th, 2025.

On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, around 9:20 PM, Kimberley was crossing the Bel Air Public Road from north to south. At that moment, a car, identified as PAF 2130 and driven by 32-year-old Paul Mahabal from Montrose, East Coast Demerara, was traveling west along the southern side of the road when its front right side struck Kimberley. The impact caused her to be thrown 74 feet before she came to a stop.