Crown wants up to 10 years for man who crashed stolen pickup and killed an 18-year-old girl

By Medicine Hat News on March 14, 2018.

A family’s devastation and unending grief was laid bare Wednesday, as the Medicine Hat man who drove a stolen vehicle dangerously through Crescent Heights ultimately leading to the death of an 18-year-old girl had his sentencing hearing.

“It is a nightmare I can’t wake up from, no matter how much I try,” said Angela Passmore as she and husband Edward held each other for support while reading victim impact statements, speaking about the loss of their daughter Cerys Passmore.

“Cerys represented all that was good in humankind,” said Angela, with statements from the family speaking about the caring, loving, “cheeky” adventurous girl who was just starting her adult life when it was cut short so suddenly.

Sentencing for Cody David Michell was adjourned until June 6, as the judge considers submissions by the Crown and defence counsel.

The Crown requested a sentence of eight to 10 years, while defence counsel argued for a sentence of 33 months.

Michell has remained in custody since his arrest on Sept. 11. On that date, Michell stole a pickup truck with trailer attached, fled at a high rate of speed, caused a collision at the intersection of 12th Street NE and Division Avenue, then continuing to drive down 12th Street at an extreme speed until he collided with the vehicle Cerys Passmore was driving. She was pronounced dead at the Parkview Drive 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 – in this case he had pushed down an elderly lady while on meth, then spat on a police officer when they attempted to arrest him.

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