Authorities on Tuesday formally charged a Roseville woman with trying to help her son evade prosecution for allegedly using his car to mow down a group of students near the University of Minnesota, fatally injuring one of them.

Diane Patricia Bakdash, 66, of Roseville, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with being an accomplice after the fact, a felony. Charges came on the same day her son, Timothy Ayman Bakdash, 29, first appeared on charges of second-degree intentional murder and assault.

Diane Bakdash was arrested Monday evening as she attempted to visit her son in the county jail. A criminal complaint filed Tuesday accuses her of helping him sell his damaged car to someone who planned to immediately repair its smashed windshield and dented body.

The buyer told police he received the car's title bearing the mother's signature. According to charges, the buyer, who agreed to buy Bakdash's Mitsubishi Galant for $1,500, heard Diane Bakdash tell her son over the phone to "get rid of the car that night."

Charges filed Monday accused the younger Bakdash, 29, of intentionally running down the group after arguing with one of them, Benjamin Van Handel, 23, at a Dinkytown bar April 15. Van Handel, 23, died of his injuries, and another student was seriously injured.

Mother and son were being held Tuesday in the county jail in lieu of $1 million bail each. Diane Bakdash was scheduled to make her first court appearance Wednesday. Her attorney, Ryan Garry, declined to comment, saying he wanted to first review the alleged evidence.

Timothy Bakdash appeared in court calm and composed in a blue jumpsuit, his dark, neatly trimmed hair surrounding a narrow face. His voice was steady as he gave his name and address to Judge Daniel Mabley.

His attorney, Joseph Tamburino, asked to wait to argue bail until a May 5 hearing. County Attorney Mike Freeman said Monday his office intends to bring the case before a grand jury for consideration of first-degree murder charges.

Tamburino said his client is doing "as best as can be expected, given the seriousness of the charges."

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921