TOWSON, Md (WMAR) — The man charged with leaving the scene after hitting a 20-year-old Towson student will stay behind bars. A Baltimore County Judge ordered 36-year-old Man Gurung held without bail. Gurung’s defense attorney Jason Fox argued he should be released until his trial, calling him a family man, the sole provider. Assistant State’s Attorney Matt Darnbrough said he should be held without bail, pointing out that he didn’t turn himself in after the crash.
Gurung faces 5 charges, a maximum of 10 years in prison for allegedly taking off after hitting Mzi Ncube, who was trying to cross North Charles Street earlier this month. After the truck hit Ncube, he was hit by a second car. That driver stayed on scene to try and help him, but he didn’t make it.
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According to court documents, a witness to the crash told police she believed the truck driver was her co-worker at GBMC Hospital. Police were able to get surveillance video of the parking garage and truck registration records for employees, leading to Gurung. When police confronted Gurung, he told police in a written statement that he was driving home from work, when something came from the left and he heard something hit his car, which he though was a deer. He continued to his home in Rosedale to go to sleep, saying he couldn’t stop because there was traffic behind him.
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In court today for his bail review hearing, Fox called him a family man, the sole provider for his wide, 2 daughters and parents, many of whom were there today.
Fox pointed out that Gurung has no prior record and has had a steady job as a janitor at GBMC for 8 years. He said Gurung didn’t turn himself in because he doesn’t watch the news as he and his family are not English proficient. He called it a tragic crime but said it’s wasn’t a crime of violence, asking he be released so he can care for his family.
The judge sided with the state, denying bail, saying this is an extremely serious matter and Gurung is a risk to public safety.
His hearing was postponed a day because the court needed to get a Nepali interpreter. The state plans to bring one additional charge against Gurung.
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Ncube’s funeral was Tuesday and Friday night, the Gaithersburg community, where he grew up, will gather for a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. at Martin P. Roy Park in Montgomery Village.
