Mahaica fatal accident: Alleged drunk driver on $275,000 bail

L-R: Charged: Saif Arjune and Shaziah Hoosain, who was killed in the crash.

Twenty-one-year-old Saif Arjune, who is accused of causing the death of 44-year-old Shaziah Hoosain in a drunken crash, has been released on $275,000 bail.

Arjune of Lot 35 Green Field, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was arraigned before Magistrate Fabio Azore in the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on two charges.

The first charge alleged that on May 9 at Hand-En-Veldt Public Road, Mahaica, ECD, he drove motor car PJJ 485 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Hoosain.

It was further stated that on the same day and at the same location, he drove the motor car while he was under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded not guilty and was placed on $275,000 bail. The matter was adjourned until June 30, 2022.

The GPF had reported that Hoosain was one of the four occupants in motorcar PJJ 485, which lost control and collided with a utility pole on the northern side of the road and subsequently crashed into a culvert.

As a result of the impact, Saif, 19-year-old Arfeen Arjune, and a 16-year-old male received injuries on their bodies. Police ranks who responded took the injured persons to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where Hoosain was pronounced dead.

The 21-year-old driver and the 16-year-old, who sustained a broken right leg, were subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver showed his alcohol level to be .186 per cent and .183 per cent.

A Post Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on the woman’s body gave the cause of death as multiple injuries consistent with a motor vehicle accident.The PME performed was done by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Memorial Garden's Funeral Home.