The man accused of causing the death of a Richmond woman more than six years ago has been extradited from Europe to finally face justice.
Erjon Kashari was arrested last year in Albania and was reportedly being held in custody there until COVID-related travel restrictions were lifted.
Kashari was allegedly behind the wheel of a Pontiac SUV in July 2014 when it slammed into 36-year-old Christy Mahy, who was standing with her bike at the intersection of Russ Baker Way and the Dinsmore Bridge.
Police say the Albanian was on a work permit in Canada at the time and left the country shortly after the accident.
Five years later, he was finally charged with criminal negligence causing the death of Christy, but had long since left Canada.
Albanian TV footage on YouTube appears to show Kashari being escorted onto a flight on Tuesday.
And court records show that he appeared at a Justice Centre somewhere in Metro Vancouver the same day, with another appearance scheduled for Thursday at Richmond Provincial Court.
Christy’s father, Ron, has fought long and hard to get answers from the authorities and ultimately bring the driver accused of causing his daughter’s death back to Canada to face the charges.
Ron told the Richmond News last month that “in six years I haven’t given it up. I couldn’t.”
Determined to not let his daughter’s story be forgotten, Ron, a Harley Davidson rider, has organized a motorcycle ride in Christy’s name every year since 2015.
