Former magistrate Chandra Sohan, who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after a recent accident at Williamsburg, was yesterday faced with additional charges, including failure to take the pedestrian he struck to the hospital.
Sohan, 52 of Lot 47 Palmyra Village, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Albion Magistrate’s Court, where the charges were read against him.
The practicing attorney was charged with failure to give his name, address and registration number to the nearest police station or any police constable after allegedly being involved in an accident along the Williamsburg Public Road on August 18, 2017. He was also charged with failure to take the injured person to seek medical attention after allegedly being involved in an accident on the same day.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on his own recognisance after representation by his five lawyers for him to be placed on self-bail. The proceedings were adjourned until September 26, when his trial for the driving under the influence charge is expected to begin.
On August 21, Sohan, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following an accident along the Williamsburg Public Road, where he allegedly hit the pedestrian. He was, however, released on his own recognisance in that instance as well after he also pleaded not guilty to that charge.
Sohan was arrested on August 18 after he allegedly struck Dale Roach along the Williamsburg Public Road. It is alleged that after the accident, Sohan drove home, where he was eventually arrested. He was then taken to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, where a breathalyser test was administered. A police statement had said that it was found that his breath alcohol level was “exceedingly” above the legal limit.
The accident occurred around 7.40 pm on August 18. Stabroek News had learnt that Sohan had told authorities that he was proceeding west along the road in his vehicle, PJJ 6060, when the pedestrian walked into his path, resulting in the collision.
Roach, who has no fixed place of abode, suffered a fractured leg and a fractured jaw.
