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Suspect in fatal hit-and-run was driving with suspended license

 

The Queens man wanted for a hit-and-run that killed a mother and severely injured her young daughter was nabbed by cops Tuesday morning around 8:30 a.m., sitting on his porch, drinking a beer, and carrying $3,000 in cash, prosecutors said.

Jairam Budhu was arraigned in Queens court Wednesday on a slew of charges — including second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident — for the fatal Sunday crash that took the life of Zaaika Rasool and left her 9-year-old daughter hospitalized in critical condition.

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Photo: Wayne Carrington

Budhu, 58, was held without bail.

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“I’m very relieved because he is not out there harming another family, another couple,” said widower Asaam Rasool, who was driving his family home from the Mosque when Budhu allegedly ran a stop sign at 50 mph and slammed into their car.

Zaalika, 40, and daughter Sara were ejected from the car.

“Let the court deal with him,” Rasool fumed, “So no one has to go through what I am going through.”

Budhu pleaded not guilty, and says he wasn’t driving the BMW that hit the Rasools — despite witness statements describing the allegedly inebriated man climbing over seats, exiting the car, and walking away from the scene.

Budhu was not charged with a DUI or DWI because cops were unable to administer a Breathalyzer or blood test since he allegedly fled the scene.

Surveillance video shows the driver “exiting the driver’s door,” and stumbling away, prosecutors said.

Budhu’s driver’s license was suspended for failure to pay a moving violation in May, according to authorities.

“It’s unfortunate what happened,” defense attorney Stephen Murphy told the Judge. “The defendant has said he is innocent.”

Rasool has previously told The Post his daughter doesn’t yet know her mother is dead.

“She needs to recover first,” Rasool said, adding that Sara suffered head, neck and foot injuries.

Budhu was remanded, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

He’s scheduled to return to court Aug. 3.

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