The next court date for a man accused of hitting a homeless woman with his truck on Montreal’s South Shore before driving away has been postponed until the end of the month.
Luigi Fragomele, 46, was scheduled to appear at the Longueuil courthouse Wednesday, but the proceedings have been moved to July 28 as the parties wait for the results of a psychiatric evaluation from the Philippe-Pinel Institute.
That assessment could determine his mental state at the time of the alleged crime, and if he’s fit to stand trial.
Fragomele is accused of running over and injuring 44-year-old Caroline Derome in Brossard on May 27. Longueuil police have said he acted deliberately. He was charged with four offences, including assault with a weapon and hit and run.
The accused was denied bail last month after a judge determined he was considered a danger to the public, describing the alleged assault as “hate” against a marginalized group. Fragomele has remained in custody.
Defence lawyers argued the man’s brakes on his truck were not working properly, but the judge said an evaluation of the vehicle showed the brakes were not defective.
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During a bail hearing in early June, surveillance video of the incident was played. The moment the victim was allegedly struck happened outside of the video’s frame, but the accused can be seen getting out of his vehicle after allegedly hitting Derome, then getting back inside his truck and driving away.
Witnesses have claimed the accused was repeatedly ramming into a homeless encampment.
