A man charged in a double fatal DUI collision in 2022 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with credit for time served. 41-year-old Johnathan Gajadhar appeared in General Sessions Court in Richland County this morning. The case was prosecuted by the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
According to Police Chief W. H. “Skip” Holbrook, on August 11, 2022, the Columbia Police Department’s (CPD) Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) arrested and charged Gajadhar moments after the incident with Felony DUI Involving Death.
Case Recap:
Shortly before 9:00 p.m., CPD officers were dispatched to Farrow Road and SC-277.
Gajadhar and the two male victims were driving southbound on Farrow Road.
Gajadhar, who was intoxicated and speeding in his car, rear-ended the victims on the moped. The impact ejected both passengers from the mope,d causing their deaths. They were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Kirven Holmes and Leroy Furtick.
During the investigation, TSU officers discovered that at the time of the incident, Gajadhar was out on bond for a previous DUI arrest, and his driver’s license was suspended because of previous DUI and Driving Under Suspension (DUS) convictions.
As a reminder, be a responsible driver and do not drive while intoxicated. Find a designated driver or utilize a rideshare company. Call 9-1-1 if you suspect a driver may be impaired.