Woman gets $500,000 bail for Nigg fatal accident

…Magistrate recuses self from trial

Thirty-five-year-old Khamwattie Mangar-Karpen, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol thereby causing the death of Rajendra Andy Khadaroo at Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, last week, was granted bail when she appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

She appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh who read the charges to her. Police stated that Mangar-Karpen drove in a dangerous manner, under the influence of alcohol, thereby causing the death of Khadaroo.
She was represented by Attorney Rohan Jagmohan and was not required to plead to the causing death charge. She was granted bail in the sum of $500,000. The female driver pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge and was placed on $20,000 bail.
Following the accident, Police had stated that she was above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. In fact, a breathalyser test conducted showed 94 and 98 micrograms, respectively.
It was reported that on Friday last, she drove motor car HB 9593 in a dangerous manner, resulting in the death of 41-year-old Rajendra Andy Khadaroo of Albion, Corentyne, Berbice.

The incident occurred at about 05:00h along the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, as Khadaroo was making his way home from the masjid on his motorcycle. Prior to the accident, the woman was seen leaving a night spot.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Singh has recused himself from trying the case, stating that the accused and the now dead man were personally known to him. He referred the matter to the Chief Magistrate at Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for it to be re-assigned.
It will come up in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on May 25.