**CLOSE-UP** Man Run Over by Taxi in Montreal

An altercation broke out between a group of young males and a taxi driver in Montreal, Quebec early Sunday morning at around 4am. The car is previously damaged from hitting a lamp post just minutes earlier. This is what was seen from a cell phone camera in the street.

A 23-year-old passenger, Benoit Kapelli, was run over and is currently in hospital suffering from a perforated spleen, perforated bladder, lung lesions, stomach contusions, and two broken ribs. A 42-year-old passenger was taken into custody along with the driver.

The driver, 47-year-old Guercy Edmond, appeared in court Monday where he was charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, hit-and-run and dangerous driving.

The court heard Wednesday morning that there was a dispute over a rising meter as the cab progressed down a gridlocked street and one of the passengers allegedly made a racist remark to the driver, who is of Haitian decent. Witnesses reported seeing Kapelli punch the driver in the chest before exiting the vehicle. The dispute escalated when one of the passengers slammed the door of the taxi.

UPDATE: Edmond was released on bail Wednesday, April 2nd in the amount of $3000, posted by his wife. The conditions of his bail allow him to continue driving his taxi, except for between 9pm and 6am in certain parts of the city. He will be back in court on June 20th.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/cabb...

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