Columbia Police Department’s (CPD) Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) officers continue to investigate a fatal collision involving two male passengers on a moped.
Meanwhile, bond has been denied for the suspect accused of causing the collision.
37-year-old Johnathan Gajadhar after CPD officers charged him with Felony DUI Involving Death. Gajadhar was arrested on scene moments after the collision last night.
During the investigation, TSU officers discovered that at the time of the incident, Gajadhar driver’s license was suspended as a result of previous DUI and Driving Under Suspension (DUS) convictions.
Preliminary information:
CPD officers were dispatched to Farrow Road an SC-277 at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2022.
Gajadhar and the victims were driving southbound on Farrow Road. Gajadhar is accused of being intoxicated and speeding when he rear-ended the moped.
The impact ejected the passengers from the moped causing critical, life-threatening injuries. The male victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office is assisting CPD with the investigation and in particular is working to identify both victims.
All persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.