By Charles Lefebvre

Michell sentenced to five years, nine months in prison for dangerous driving death

Jun 6, 2018 | 3:11 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A Medicine Hat man who pleaded guilty in a dangerous driving collision that resulted in an 18-year-old woman’s death last year was sentenced in Medicine Hat provincial court on Wednesday.

Cody Michell, 26, received a sentence of five years, nine months in prison on charges of dangerous driving causing death, possession of stolen property, two counts of hit and run and attempting to disarm a police officer.

With credit for time served, Michell will serve four years, seven months behind bars. He also received a five-year driving prohibition.

Members of the Michell family could be seen crying after the sentence was handed down.

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Michell was arrested on September 11 after a truck and trailer were stolen from a home on Bassett Crescent Northwest. The truck was travelling at approximately 100 km/h on 12th Street Northeast, when it struck a minivan outside Crescent Heights High School, according to the agreed statement of facts. The collision caused the minivan to hit another van, and end up on its side. The occupants of the minivan suffered minor injuries.

The truck and trailer continued down 12th Street NE, when it t-boned a Toyota Camry on Parkview Drive. Cerys Passmore, the driver of the Camry, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The agreed statement of facts adds Michell attempted to reach for an officer’s pistol at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. He was restrained by staff before he could do so.

The Crown was seeking a sentence of eight to 10 years in prison, while Michell’s lawyer sought a 33 month sentence.

Crown prosecutor Ramona Robins says the day was difficult for the Passmore family, who were in attendance for the sentencing.

“There’s no justice when someone’s lost their child,” she said. “The justice system doesn’t provide that kind of closure to anybody. My thoughts today are with them and their loss.”

“Cerys Passmore had a big impact on the community. She was loved by her friends and family, a recent high school graduate. That loss is what I’m thinking of today.”