A 28-year-old East Coast Demerara resident was released on $650,000 bail on Wednesday after being charged in connection with a fatal road accident along the Rupert Craig Highway.Rushana Hopkinson, of Lot 77 Section C, Golden Grove, appeared before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.
She faces an indictable charge of causing death by dangerous driving under Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Hopkinson, who was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva, was not called upon to plead to the charge during the court appearance.Authorities allege that on February 22, near the MovieTowne area of Greater Georgetown, Hopkinson operated motor car PАМ 4632 in a manner considered dangerous to the public. The incident resulted in the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline Cumberbatch.
Magistrate Gibbs granted bail with conditions, including the regular reporting of Hopkinson to the police and the surrender of her passport. The case has been adjourned to March 30 for report and disclosure.Cumberbatch, a resident of Liliendaal, was reportedly on her way to collect her pension at MovieTowne when she was struck along the highway’s southern carriageway. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Relatives said they were notified of the incident via telephone and discovered her body on the parapet upon arriving at the location.Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
