The driver of the semi-truck in the Humbolt Broncos crash on April 6, 2018 has been arrested and faces 29 charges.
29 year old Jaskirat Singh Sidhu is facing 29 charges in relation to the crash,
- 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death; Section 249 (4) CC
- 13 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm; Section 249 (3) CC
The charges where laid after the investigation determined that the motor vehicle was being operated in a manner dangerous to the public.
Mr. Sidhu has been remanded into RCMP custody and will make his first appearance in Saskatchewan Provincial Court next week. Details of this court appearance have not been finalized. According to RCMP spokesperson, the charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death could result in up to a 14 year sentence and dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily injury could face up to 10 years.
Dangerous operation causing bodily harm*
(3) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (1) and thereby causes bodily harm to any other person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.Dangerous operation causing death*
(4) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (1) and thereby causes the death of any other person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
After a three month long investigation, investigators from the Major Crime Unit arrested Sidhu, without incident, at his home in Calgary, Alberta, on Friday, July 6th about 10:00 am. Prior to a media event where they released what details they could, RCMP met with the families of the victims of the crash to inform them.
RCMP where limited to what details they could share from the investigation, because the matter will now go before the courts and they need to protect the integrity of the evidence and respect the judicial process.
The investigation involved a core team of 20 investigators, along with 100 additional investigators through the process. 60 interviews were conducted, 6,000 photographs taken, 3D technology was utilized along with documents analyzed including the driver’s log book. Factors taken into consideration during the investigation included speed of both vehicles, point of impact, positions, impairment, road and weather conditions as well as witness accounts.
* http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-249.html
