Trial begins for 2012 ‘gas-and-dash’ murder

The trial for a man accused of a ‘gas-and-dash’ resulting in the horrific death of a gas station employee in 2012 began Tuesday.

Max Tutiven is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Jayesh Prajapati who was run over by an SUV and dragged 256 feet to his death.

It happened on September 15, 2012 when a man allegedly pulled into a Shell gas station on Roselawn Avenue in a silver SUV while Prajapati was on shift.

Crown attorney Jenny Rodopoulos told the jury that the man filled the vehicle’s tank as well as two red containers with gas.

He then allegedly began to leave the gas station without paying for $112.50 worth of gas. Prajapati ran out to stop him, getting in front of the vehicle and waving his arms in a bright orange shirt.

The crown alleges Tutiven was behind the wheel of the SUV and deliberately drove into Prajapati, dragged him until he became dislodged and proceeded to drive over him. The accused then allegedly continued driving down Roselawn Avenue, leaving Prajapati to die.

Security videos from six previous gas-and-dash incidents in Toronto between Nov. 2011 to Aug. 2012 are expected to be entered as evidence in the case.

All the videos show a male suspect pumping gas and driving away without paying in a silver Isuzu Rodeo SUV at Esso and Shell gas stations.

The crown alleges the man in the videos is Tutiven, who was arrested and charged in the murder of Prajapati in 2015.


Related stories:

Gas station attendant killed by fleeing SUV identified
Suspect arrested in Toronto gas attendant killing


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