Gas-and-dash murder trial hears off-duty firefighter, nurse and doctor tried to save injured woman - Action News
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Gas-and-dash murder trial hears off-duty firefighter, nurse and doctor tried to save injured woman

Within seconds, an off-duty nurse, firefighter and doctor were by Maryam Rashidi's side trying to save the gas station attendant after she was hit by a fleeing truck.

Joshua Mitchell is charged with 2nd-degree murder in connection with Maryam Rashidi's 2015 death

Gas-and-dash victim Maryam Rashidi left behind a six-year-old son, Koorosh. (Submitted by the family)

An off-duty nurse, firefighter and doctor were by Maryam Rashidi's side trying to save the life of the gas station attendant justseconds after beinghitby a truck she had been chasingtoget the driver to pay for stolen fuel.

"She had bruising under her eyes, an open head wound, one of her legs ... had all the skin and tissue removed," said Jacob Coffman, a former firefighter who was one of the first people to tend the 35-year-old'sinjuries.

Jurors in Joshua Mitchell's second-degree murder trial heard from eight people who jumped into action after thefatal hit and run with a stolen truck.

Some ran to the nearby fire hall for help, some administered first aidto the victim and two tried to catch the driver who had taken off.

Victim looked like 'rag doll'

It was late in the morning of June 7, 2015, when the driver of a burgundy Ford F350 tried to drive away after filling up with gas from the Centex on 16th AvenueN.W.

Rashidi,who was working her fourth shift at the gas station,caught up to the truck and banged on the window before climbing on its hood.

The driver accelerated, swerved and then braked, saidSherri White Vernonwho was at Home Depot when she heard the commotion.

Joshua Cody Mitchell, 22, is on trial for 2nd-degree murder, accused of driving over gas station attendant Maryam Rashidi. (CBC)

"It looked like he was trying to shake her off the hood," she said of the driver.

Rashidi's leg got caught in the wheel rim and she was pulled underneaththe truck, according to White Vernon.

After both the front and rear wheels drove overRashidi, she looked like "a rag doll,"saidTrygveTysseland,who witnessed the incident.

Nurse rushed toRashidi's side

An off-duty nurse who had been shopping for plants at Home Depot ran over to offer help. Valerie Jonesteared up as she described blood coming from Rashidi'smouth.

Using supplies from a first aid kit supplied by SheadonRoll, another passing motorist,a team of Good Samaritans tried to treat her.

"She was face down on the cement, she had her hands out ... she was breathing really fast and really shallow," said Jones.

A doctor who also treated Rashidi at the scene is scheduled to testify next week.

Rashidi was taken off life supporttwo days later, leaving behind a husband and six-year-old son.

Meanwhile, two other drivers Chris Swann and Emmett Yang each chased the burgundy truck. Yang testified he droveup to 120 km/h in an effort to catch the driver.

Mitchell arrested after stand-off

As soon as he noticed kids playing on the sidewalk, Yang said he stopped and returned to the scene.

Rashidi, 35, had recentlybeen laid off along with her husband from her job as an engineer in Calgary's oil and gas industry, and was working at theCentexwhen she ran after the truck.

Mitchell was arrested two days after Rashidi was injured and has been in custody ever since.He is being represented by defence lawyer Kim Ross.

Prosecutors Hak and James Thomas expect to call about two dozen witnesses over the two-week trial.

The jury trial is being presided over byJustice Alan MacLeod.