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Driver in fatal crash charged with attempting to disarm police officer

Sep 12, 2017 | 11:36 AM

 

The man arrested after Monday’s pair of crashes is facing a wide array of charges in the wake of the incident, which left one person dead.

According to police, the chain of events began after a 2002 Dodge Ram was stolen from Bassett Crescent Northwest around 1:06 p.m. along with an attached utility trailer. The suspect fled in the truck, reaching speeds of around 100 kilometres per hour.

As the truck entered the intersection of 12 Street Northeast at Division Avenue, it struck a van with two people inside, causing the van to flip and strike another vehicle nearby. The occupants of both vehicles were left with minor injuries.

The driver of the stolen truck fled that scene at an extreme rate of speed, passing though the Crescent Heights High School playground zone and east along 12 Street Northeast. As the vehicle approached the T-intersection at Parkview Drive Northeast, it struck a Toyota Camry at a high rate of speed.

The driver of the Camry, an 18 year old girl, was pronounced dead at the scene after attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.

Cody Michell, 25,  is now in custody facing charges of dangerous driving, dangerous driving causing death, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, two counts of criminal hit and run, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and attempting to disarm a police officer.

The latter charge stems from the Medicine Hat Regional hospital, where Michell was being treated for minor injuries. According to Inspector Joe West, Michell allegedly tried to disarm a police officer at hospital, but was restrained by police and hospital employees.

“Thankfully, attempts to disarm an officer doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen,” said West. “It’s a very, very serious event, one of the most serious events. We do train our officers in the event that somebody tries to disarm them in our control tactics training, and training and composure paid off here.”

Michell was scheduled for a bail hearing today. He remains in custody and return to court on September 26.

Police are asking for any witnesses of the events to contact them at 403-529-8471, if they have not already provided a statement.

-with files from Scott Roblin and Charles Lefebvre