A seven-year-old girl who was killed in a hit-and-run in Montreal was a Ukrainian refugee who fled the war-torn country with her family.
The young child, identified as Maria, had arrived in Canada two months ago with her mother, brother and sister. Michael Shwec, the president of the Quebec chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, confirmed the girl’s father remains in Ukraine. He is fighting against the Russian invasion, which began last winter.
“It’s especially difficult for him to receive this news,” Shwec said.
Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia, 45, appeared in court by video conference Wednesday in connection with her death. He turned himself in at a police station on the city’s south shore Tuesday after the fatal collision in the Ville-Marie borough in the morning. Montreal police say his vehicle is being examined.
Quebec’s public prosecutor’s office confirmed Becerra was charged with failing to stop after an accident resulting in death. The Longueuil, Que., resident does not have a criminal record.
Crown prosecutor Alexandre Gautier opposed the man’s release in order to ensure he will be present at the next court date, “to protect the public as well and to ensure public confidence in the justice system.” The hearing on Thursday will either set a date for a bail hearing or come to an agreement on release conditions.
Becerra’s lawyer did not offer a comment after the brief arraignment.
The appearance comes one day after the girl was struck and seriously injured while she was walking on Parthenais Street, near de Rouen Street. Multiple calls were placed to 911 about the collision, which took place in a school zone east of downtown Montreal.
Nurses and a doctor ran out from a nearby clinic to tend to her as emergency personnel rushed to the site. The girl was taken to hospital in critical condition and her death was confirmed early Tuesday evening by police.
Upon hearing of the child’s death, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said she was heartbroken and extended her condolences to the family. The city will look into additional security measures to make the area safer.
Chris Krajwski, a father who lives in the sector where Maria was killed, said he feels sick and said drivers have been “really bad” this year in the area.
“I have a son, an 18-month-old son. And we were talking about how bad it is here and are thinking about moving,” he said.
On Wednesday, Quebec Premier François Legault reminded the public to exercise caution in school zones.
“We have to be careful,” he said. “It’s too sad to see someone from Ukraine, coming from war, to end like this — it’s terrible.”
Mourners placed stuffed animals, candles and notes at the scene of the hit and run. The makeshift shrine just off the sidewalk is adorned with pink roses and white flowers.
A fundraiser is in the works to help the family with funeral costs. Shwec said it is being organized by a priest with a local parish and the Ukrainian community is mobilizing to provide financial, moral and any other support the family may need.
“I think myself and the entire community is in shock,” he said.
The funeral will be held in Montreal, where the family is making a new home. Shwec said the girl’s father also plans on moving here eventually.
— with files from Global News’ Annabelle Olivier, Phil Carpenter and the Canadian Press