Brayden Bushby, 18, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly throwing a trailer hitch from a car that struck Indigenous woman Barbara Kentner, who later died in hospital.

THUNDER BAY - Brayden Bushby has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Indigenous woman Barbara Kentner.

Bushby, 18, appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom this morning when the charges were announced by acting Thunder Bay district Crown attorney, Andrew Sadler.

The victim's sister, Melissa Kentner, was pleased with the news.

"I'm feeling pretty good," she said on Friday after the charges were officially entered. "But we've just got to see what goes on. I hope it all sticks and goes good, because my sister doesn't deserve it."

Melissa Kentner said it's been a frustrating year, waiting to see whether or not Bushby would be charged in her death.

He was first charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly threw a metal trailer hitch from a moving vehicle that struck Kentner in the abdomen on the night of Jan. 29, 2017 in the area of Cameron Street.

"Yeah, it is because her daughter needs some closure and her daughter still doesn't know how to feel," Melissa Kentner said. "I still don't know how to feel. It's stressful for me because I dealt with her and was taking care of her all the time when she was sick. It's just stressful."

Kentner died in hospital on July 4. She was 34-years-old.

Melissa Kentner met with Crown prosecutors in the court room, but said she is unable to share any information about what was discussed.

Bushby will make another court appearance on Nov. 6. Details of the case have been subjected to a publication ban.

-- With files from Thunder Bay Television's Xiaoli Li.