ON the afternoon of July 30, 2014, Richmond RCMP attended the scene of a serious motor vehicle incident at the intersection of Russ Baker Way and Gilbert Road. A red Pontiac Aztek was northbound, approaching a red light at the intersection, when it suddenly veered right, drove over a concrete island at the intersection and struck a cyclist, before coming to rest in the grass off-road. The female cyclist, 36-year old Christy Mahy of Richmond, was transported to hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
The 33-year-old driver of the Aztek, Erjon Kashari, was in Canada on a work permit at the time, and left the country shortly after the incident. As a result of the police investigation, charges were laid and a warrant was issued for his arrest in June 2018.
In July 2019, Kashari was taken into custody by Albanian police and held for extradition. The Richmond RCMP’s General Investigation Section then began the lengthy process to bring Kashari back to Canada to stand trial.
On August 11, 2020, Richmond investigators travelled to Albania where Kashari was transferred to their custody and escorted back to Canada.. He remains in custody facing one count of criminal negligence causing death.
Inspector Michael Cohee said on Wednesday: “This was a lengthy investigation involving a complex extradition process focussed on bringing the offender back to Canada to face justice. Investigators worked hard on this matter, but we could not have done it alone.”
Cohee said he would like to acknowledge the cooperation of Interpol, Albanian authorities, the Department of Justice, the International Assistance Group, the Canada Border Services Agency, and RCMP Liaison Officers in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Albania.