Police believe north Edmonton hit-and-run was hate-motivated

An undated file photo of an Edmonton Police Service cruiser. (CTV News Edmonton)

A 37-year-old woman is facing charges after a hit-and-run in north Edmonton that police believe was motivated by hate.

Officers responded to a crash in a parking lot in the area of 82 Street and 144 Avenue around 6:45 p.m. on May 27.

It was reported that a woman confronted the female victim, who wore a hijab, about how she parked her car, boxed her in, and made racist and xenophobic remarks, the Edmonton Police Service said.

While the victim was outside of her vehicle, the other woman drove toward her and struck her, leaving the scene without helping the victim, exchanging information or reporting to police, EPS said.

Police believe the victim was targeted based on her religious and cultural identity.

Kelly Smith turned herself in to police on July 9 and was charged with assault with a weapon and criminal hit-and-run. She was released on a promise to appear.

The EPS Hate Crimes Unit is recommending that Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code be applied in the case, allowing the courts to consider increased sentencing when there is evidence the offence may have been hate motivated.