Police Corporal granted $500K bail for causing death of schoolboy

Police Corporal Yonelle Almarie Cumberbatch of Eastville Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Tuesday granted $500,000 bail after she was charged with causing the death of 15-year-old Navindra Mahes by dangerous driving.

The accident occurred on October 30 along the Success Public Road, ECD.

Cumberbatch appeared before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court 2, where the charge was read to her.  She was not required to plead.

The charge was brought under Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.

The matter was adjourned to January 6, 2026, for disclosure of statements.

Reports indicate that the accident occurred at around 07:30 hrs, while the “third lane” system was in operation. The system was discontinued following the accident.

CCTV footage captured the moment Mahes, who was standing on the median separating the two carriageways, attempted to cross the road using the pedestrian crossing. As he stepped forward, he was struck by a vehicle driven by the accused.

The impact flung the teenager several feet into the air before he landed on the roadway, suffering severe head injuries and a fractured right leg.

Public-spirited citizens rushed Mahes to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where doctors made efforts to save his life, but he later succumbed to his injuries.

A post-mortem examination later revealed that Mahes died as a result of multiple injuries resulting from a vehicular accident.