The trial of a St. Catharines man accused of driving a stolen snowplow that killed Toronto police Sgt. Ryan Russell is set to get underway today.

Richard Kachkar is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of dangerous driving.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Russell, 35, died after being struck while trying to stop a snow plow during a chase through snowy city streets on Jan. 12 last year.

Russell was promoted to the rank of sergeant only six months before his death and according to the Toronto Police Association he was the first Toronto officer to die in the line of duty since 1994.