VCU student could serve 20 years for death of fellow student
Further action by university could follow if convicted
Mark Robinson
Assistant News Editor
Mason Brown
Staff Writer
VCU student Varinder Chahal could receive a 20-year prison sentence for his role in a DUI accident that left a fellow VCU student dead.
Chahal, 23, was arrested last week on charges of felony manslaughter, driving under the influence and refusal to submit a blood or breath test after a fatal car collision that killed Carolina Perez and injured two other students.
Chahal was driving in a car with four other passengers at the time of the accident. No one in Chahal’s vehicle was injured and the identities of the passengers have not been released.
On Monday, Chahal’s bail was set at $25,000 at the Richmond General District Court with the intent to allow him to finish his degree at VCU. The judge also required that Chahal surrender his passport and driver’s license.
As reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, area prosecutors are attempting to elevate the charge to aggravated involuntary manslaughter, which carries a minimum 20-year sentence because of the alcohol consumed and nature of the driving at the time of the accident.
Prosecutors will attempt to raise the charge on March 7 when Chahal is scheduled to appear before a grand jury.
Chahal’s DUI charge and refusal of a blood test carry a minimum of one-year license suspension and a $250 fine.
Chahal is a senior accounting major at VCU. However, the university cannot confirm whether or not he will return to VCU this semester.
“We have a responsibility to protect the privacy of all of our students,” said Mike Porter, public relations specialist at VCU. Porter did confirm that Chahal is still enrolled at VCU, but would not comment further.
Three of Chahal’s professors declined to comment on his possible return to school.
At VCU, a student charged with a crime must first be convicted before any disciplinary action is considered by the university. If convicted, the student can be subjected to further punishment by the university at the discretion of the provost.
The student would then face the University Hearing Board, which includes one student, faculty member, administrator, classified staff member and faculty chairperson. A student’s punishment is decided by the board.
The first decision can be appealed and the case retried by a similar panel. The president makes the final decision in appeals cases.
The CT attempted to contact Chahal and his lawyer by phone but recieved no response as of press time.
