Charges Filed Against Driver in Crash That Killed 1, Injured Petaluma Kindergartner and Her Father

By Bay City News Service

A San Francisco man faces felony charges in a fatal Sonoma crash that killed his passenger and severely injured two other people, Sonoma County prosecutors said Friday. 

Damodar Chandradas, 25, has been charged with felony counts including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and with gross negligence; driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and causing great bodily injury and/or death; possession for sale of methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA; and being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, prosecutors said.

In addition, he faces various great bodily injury enhancements including causing paralysis, gun charges and driving on a suspended license, as well as allegations that he committed these crimes while on probation for a felony, prosecutors said.

Chandradas was allegedly driving south on state Highway 121 on a suspended license on Oct. 29, 2013, just north of the Sonoma Raceway, according to the CHP. 

Prosecutors say he was traveling at an excessive speed and passing other cars when he lost control and swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a northbound Toyota Corolla. 

His passenger, Sergei Beoglozan, died at the scene from his injuries.

The driver of the Toyota suffered broken legs, and his 5-year-old daughter, who was riding in a car seat, suffered a spinal cord injury. 

Multiple fundraisers are being organized in Petaluma for the 5-year-old, Jazzlin Mejia.

Chandradas himself was also airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries. 

Investigators found cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and a loaded semi-automatic rifle in the car with ammunition, prosecutors said. 

Chandradas has prior felony convictions and has driven on a suspended license on three prior occasions, according to prosecutors. 

Bail has been set at more than $1 million, but Chandradas also has a no bail probation violation hold in place from San Francisco County, prosecutors said.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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