Charges laid in collision that killed motorcyclist on Parsons Road
Charges have been laid after a motorcyclist was killed on Parsons Road in September, police said Friday.
Southeast division police officers raced to the scene on Parsons Road near the Anthony Henday overpass around 11 p.m. on Sept. 10 after a report of a collision.
When police arrived, they found 29-year-old Ziade Haddad laying on Parsons Road and a car in the ditch on the east side of the road. Haddad was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu travelling south on Parsons Road crossed the centre line, crashing into Haddad’s northbound 2014 Suzuki GSXR600 motorcycle.
The driver of the car did not sustain any injuries. Police believe speed was a factor in the crash.
Balwinder Chatha, 32, has since been charged with criminal negligence causing death.
Friends and fellow motorcyclists mourned Haddad’s tragic death at a memorial service on Sept. 16.
“To lose him in this manner was actually really shocking not only for me but his family and other friends as well,” said his friend Sam Cruz in September.
Cruz described Haddad as energetic, outgoing and “a great conversationalist.”
Only a few hours before Haddad was struck and killed, 23-year-old motorcycle passenger Harley Dakota died after the motorcycle she was riding on struck a Toyota Yaris travelling in the same direction at the bottom of Victoria Park Road near the exit to Groat Road.
Dakota was killed instantly and 30-year-old Harsha Dandamudi, who was driving the motorcycle, was taken to hospital with injuries.
Dandamudi was later charged with dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Police issued a warrant for Dandamudi’s arrest on Dec. 8 which, according to court records, is still outstanding.