POLICE LAY 29 CHARGES AGAINST SEMI DRIVER
On Friday, the RCMP Arrested Jaskirat Sidhu, 29, of Calgary, the driver of the semi that Collided with the Humboldt Broncos’ Bus on April 6 near Tisdale. He faces 16 Counts of dangerous driving causing death And 13 Counts of dangerous driving causing Bodi
The RCMP member overseeing the investigation into the Humboldt Broncos bus crash knows how difficult the wait has been for those most closely connected to the team.
On Friday, family and loved ones of the Broncos learned the results of the three-month investigation into the April 6 tragedy: Jaskirat Sidhu, a 29-year-old man from Calgary, was charged with 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and 13 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
Before publicly announcing the charges on Friday afternoon, RCMP officials met in the morning with families of the Broncos — some gathered in Saskatoon, others in Edmonton, and the rest via video stream.
“This important work was necessary,” said Saskatchewan RCMP Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, of the long investigative process.
Sixteen people died and another 13 were injured after the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team’s bus — bound for a playoff game in Nipawin — collided with a tractor-trailer north of Tisdale just after 5 p.m. on April 6.
The driver of the semi was not injured in the collision.
According to RCMP Supt. Derek Williams, a core team of 20 investigators — with as many as 100 people contributing over the three months — conducted more than 60 interviews, took more than 6,000 photographs, analyzed all documentation available, and used 3D technology and drones to gather evidence.
The speed of the vehicles, point of impact, position of vehicles, impairment, road and weather conditions, and witness evidence were all considered, RCMP said.
There were no impaired driving charges laid on Friday, Williams noted. “Every piece of information was carefully examined,” he said. “This is a tragic event, first and foremost.”
Williams said RCMP consulted extensively with the Crown before Criminal Code charges were laid, as opposed to lesser charges under the Traffic Safety Act.
“In order to lay these charges, we require evidence the motor vehicle was being operated in a manner that is dangerous to the public,” Williams said.
The maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death is 14 years. The maximum for dangerous driving causing harm is 10 years.
Sidhu was arrested Friday without incident at his residence in Calgary. He was remanded and is scheduled to appear next week in Saskatchewan court.
Details were not released about the location, but RCMP say they will be revealed before a court appearance.
In the days following the collision, Regina lawyer Aaron Fox said investigations into fatal crashes take time and, despite the tragic circumstances involved, not all result in criminal charges.
Fox said there is a range of possible outcomes — including no charges being laid.
Sometimes, Criminal Code charges like dangerous driving, criminal negligence or impaired driving causing death might result. Fox said that, in other instances, charges like failing to stop or yield or driving without due care and attention might be laid under the Traffic Safety Act.
The father of Broncos player Graysen Cameron, an 18-year-old who suffered back injuries in the crash, said the wait didn’t bother him.
“I’m happy they took their time and did it right,” said Tyler Cameron, adding that he feels the charges were “appropriate.”
“We’ll let the RCMP and the courts now, do their jobs.”