Cody Michell pleads guilty to all charges stemming from stolen truck incident that left teen dead

By Peggy Revell on November 3, 2017.

A Medicine Hat man pled guilty Thursday over a vehicle theft and dangerous driving that ultimately led to the death of an 18-year-old woman.

Cody David Michell, 25, pled guilty to two counts of hit-and-runs, dangerous driving causing death, having a stolen vehicle and attempting to disarm a police officer.

Sentencing was adjourned to Jan. 15, 2018, with defence counsel requesting multiple reports be put together on his client, including a pre-sentencing report, Gladue report and psychological report, which will include a risk assessment.

In the meantime, Crown and defence will work to put together an agreed statement of facts. Michell remains in custody, appearing before the court from the Medicine Hat Remand Centre.

Michell is accused of stealing a pickup truck on Sept. 11, fleeing in it at a high rate of speed, causing a collision at the intersection of 12th Street NE and Division Avenue, then continuing to drive down 12th Street at an extreme speed until colliding with a Toyota Camry at Parkview Drive.

The driver of the Camry, Cerys Passmore, was pronounced dead at the scene.

When taken to hospital, Michell attempted to pull an officer’s pistol from the holster but was prevented from doing so and brought under control by the officer and medical staff.

Michell also entered guilty pleas to assault and assaulting a police officer stemming from an incident that occurred prior to his arrest.