WATCH: The man accused in the death of Maryam Rashidi made a brief court appearance today. 20-year-old Joshua Cody Mitchell was out on bail when the fatal hit and run occurred. Global’s Nancy Hixt reports.
CALGARY – Court records show a 20-year-old man arrested in a fatal gas-and-dash had already been charged with dangerous driving earlier this year.
Joshua Cody Mitchell was arrested on Tuesday following the death of gas station attendant Maryam Rashidi.
The 35-year-old woman was trying to stop a gas-and-dash along 16th Avenue N.W. on Sunday morning when she was hit and run over. Rashidi was rushed to hospital, but later died from her injuries.
READ MORE: Calgary gas-and-dash death raises questions, renews calls for new law
Mitchell has been charged with:
- Criminal negligence causing death
- Hit and run causing death
- Dangerous driving causing death
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Theft
On Thursday, he made a brief court appearance via CCTV from the Calgary Remand Centre.
Mitchell remains in police custody as he does not yet have a lawyer. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, June 15, when a date for a bail hearing will likely be set.
Previous criminal charges
According to court documents, Mitchell has a history with police, including a charge of dangerous driving laid in January, 2015.
Mitchell was released by a Justice of the Peace on $2,000 bail with a number of conditions including not being in a private motor vehicle without the registered owner present.
He also has outstanding charges against him of possession of stolen property and fraud.
News of Mitchell’s history with police has added to the pain felt by Rashidi’s husband, Ahmad Nourani Shallo. He says his only solace is that her death is helping six other people live.
“We decided to do body organ donation at the third day that Maryam was in a coma, and today I received a call from the hospital and they told me Maryam’s organs were wonderful—were okay for donation,” said Nourani Shallo.
“I’m glad that six people can survive and it’s enough for me, I think for Maryam, it makes me happy.”
Trust fund for Maryam Rashidi’s family
A trust fund has been set up in the names of Rashidi’s husband, Ahmad, and son, Koorosh, at TD Canada Trust transit or branch 01729 account number 673703.
Two memorials will be held for Rashidi. Both are open to the public.
The first is Friday at 1 p.m. at Pierson’s Funeral Home on 17 Avenue S.E.
The second is Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowness Community Centre.
READ MORE: ‘She was the best thing I had’ – Husband mourns hit-and-run victim
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