On Friday, a Truck driver namely Jaskirat Singh Sidhu in Calgary has been sentenced for eight years imprisonment. He was accused of killing 16 people and injuring 13 people in Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Not just that, the punishment includes 10 driving bans and deportation to India after serving time.
The driver stood soberly while he was getting sentenced. Judge Inez Cardinal said that she knows that Jaskirat was feeling guilty but she can’t ignore the deadly consequence also. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was driving the Junior Hockey Team’s bus.
The Crown wanted to sentence Jaskirat for at least 10 years whereas defence was suggesting 1 ½ and 4 ½ years imprisonment.
Humboldt Broncos Bus Crash Victims:
Mark s/o Marilyn Cross was assistant coach of the team. She said, “The sentence is neither here nor there for me. Our son isn’t coming back. Nobody wins in this.”
Jaxon s/o Former NHL player Chris Joseph was also killed in the accident.
Raylene Herold with tears in her eyes said, “For us, our life doesn’t change. Adam doesn’t come back, we have a life sentence.”
The youngest Bronco aged 16 years had to take care of his family farm one day. His father said, “We have emptiness, devastation… there’s an empty future there.”
Cardinal said that the driver missed many signs before heading towards the upcoming rural intersection. She added, “This was not a momentary loss of attention. He had ample time to stop his unit. Mr Sidhu wasn’t speeding but his speed was excessive.”
Three weeks ago, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was hired by a small Calgary trucking company. Before he could go alone, he used to go with the fellow drivers for around two weeks.
After the sentence, Humboldt Broncos Hockey Team emerged a statement. President Jamie Brockman said, “Having … the sentencing complete is a big step in the healing process for the survivors, grieving families, our organization and the community of Humboldt and the surrounding area.”
The handcuffed Sidhu didn’t utter a single word while going towards the SUV with the police. Chanan Singh Sidhu from London gave a statement on behalf of his nephew to the reporters.
He said, “On behalf of my family, I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the 29 families, we also feel indebted to the families and the Canadian public at large for the support, sympathy and understanding they have shown … for my nephew and our families.”
