Golden Grove woman on bail over crash that killed pensioner

March 12 2026

A 28-year-old woman from Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, was granted $650,000 bail after being charged in connection with a fatal 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 contrary to Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.

Dead: Jacqueline Cumberbatch

Hopkinson, who was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva, was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

According to the allegation, on February 22, 2026, near the MovieTowne area in Greater Georgetown, Hopkinson drove motor car PAM 4632 in a manner considered dangerous to the public.

The collision resulted in the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline Cumberbatch.

Magistrate Gibbs granted the accused bail in the sum of $650,000 and imposed several conditions, including that she report regularly to the police and surrender her passport.

The matter has been adjourned to March 30, 2026, for report and disclosure.

Cumberbatch, who lived at Liliendaal, was reportedly heading to MovieTowne to collect her pension when she was struck along the southern carriageway of the highway.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Relatives later said they were informed about the incident by telephone and, upon arriving at the location, found her body lying on the parapet.