Accused in road rage attack freed on bail

A man accused of attempted murder for allegedly breaking a woman’s arms with a crowbar in a road rage incident will live under house arrest while he awaits trial, a judge ordered Monday.

Jared Matthew Eliasson, 29, was denied bail in April but was allowed to have that decision reviewed following a preliminary hearing earlier this year.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Kevin Feehan granted Eliasson’s release on $2,500 cash bail.

During the review, defence lawyer Zack Elias relied on evidence from the preliminary hearing.

Those proceedings are protected by a publication ban.

Eliasson is expected to live under house arrest at his mother’s residence while he awaits his April 2019 trial, with exceptions for appointments and approved employment, education and volunteer work.

Crown prosecutor Kevin Mott opposed the release.

Eliasson is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of an offensive weapon in connection to a March 7 attack with a crowbar that left a 34-year-old woman with broken arms.

TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

Investigators say the woman was driving north on 87 Street at about 6:30 a.m. when she came upon a car parked in her lane.

She honked as she turned onto 77 Avenue, passing the vehicle and carrying on her way.

A short time later, she pulled up at a residence in the area of 76 Avenue and 87 Street. That’s when police say she was approached by a man who began striking her with a crowbar. She raised her arms to defend herself, and police allege he was aiming for her head.

The woman was taken to hospital, where she had surgery.

Investigators released photographs of a suspect vehicle captured by a dashboard camera.

At the time, police said public tips led to the arrest.

Eliasson also faces a mischief charge related to causing damages under $5,000 for an alleged offence that also occurred March 7, police say.

While in custody in late April, he was served with a restraining order by former friends who allege in court documents that he’d been harassing them — including an attack on a neighbour’s vehicle with a crowbar.

Eliasson was the victim of a random stabbing in 2014.

According to court documents, the troubling behaviour targeting his former friends began following the stabbing and after his girlfriend broke up with him.

Eliasson did not attend the Monday hearing, although his mother watched it from the courtroom gallery.