Driver charged in Edmonton hit-and-run believed to be race-motivated

Edmonton police have charged a woman in connection with a May hit-and-run incident, which investigators believe was motivated by hatred. The incident involved two women in a parking lot near 82 Street and 144 Avenue on the evening of May 27.

According to police, the confrontation began when one woman confronted the other about her parking. The suspect allegedly then boxed in the complainant's vehicle, preventing her from leaving while making racist and xenophobic remarks. The situation escalated when the suspect allegedly drove her vehicle towards the victim, striking her with the front bumper, and then fled the scene without exchanging information, providing aid, or reporting the collision.

Investigators believe the victim, who wears a hijab, was targeted based on her religious and/or cultural identity. Sgt. Amanda Ross of the EPS hate crimes unit stated that the police service takes hate-motivated incidents very seriously, emphasizing their impact on victims and communities. The incident caused fear within Edmonton's Muslim community, and police assured the community that the investigation was treated as a hate-motivated crime.

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The EPS takes hate-motivated incidents and crimes very seriously. These events hurt not only the victim, but the vicarious trauma has an impact on entire communities.

On July 9, six weeks after the incident, the suspect surrendered to police. Kelly Smith, 37, faces charges of assault with a weapon and a criminal hit-and-run. The EPS hate crimes unit is recommending the application of Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada, which allows for increased sentencing when an offense is proven to be motivated by hatred.

Smith has since been released and is scheduled to appear in court.

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This incident caused fear and concern within the Muslim community in Edmonton and the surrounding area, and police want to assure the community that this report was thoroughly investigated as a hate-motivated crime.