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Sentence hearing begins for driver who caused Broncos crash

Jan 25, 2019 | 9:01 PM

The final step in court proceedings against Jaskirat Sidhu, 30, is set to begin today as family members, friends and supporters of those affected by the Humboldt Broncos crash descend on Melfort.

Sidhu’s 10 a.m. sentence hearing at the Kerry Vickar Centre will review the 29 convictions he pleaded guilty to earlier this month. Sixteen of those convictions are for dangerous driving causing death and 13 are for dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

In April 2018, Sidhu’s tractor-trailer collided with the team’s bus, as it was en route to a hockey game in Nipawin. The collision killed 10 players, the team’s play-by-play announcer, athletic therapist, assistant coach, the bus driver, coach, and statistician.

Thirteen others were injured, some with trauma too severe to play hockey again.

As Judge Inez Cardinal considers the aggravating and mitigating factors in Sidhu’s case, she will hear victim impact statements from those affected by the crash. While a statement can be submitted privately to the judge, many are expected to speak at the hearing.

Crown prosecutor Thomas Healey said the sentencing process for this case could take up to five days.

The maximum penalty for each conviction of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm are 14 years and 10 years jail time, respectively. 

Legal experts suggest Sidhu’s guilty plea and remorse will both be considered as mitigating factors in sentencing.

Due to the number of attendees, Cardinal and members of the Saskatchewan Provincial Court determined a courtroom was too small for the hearing, which is why proceedings will take place at the Kerry Vickar Centre.

To read more about the case in real-time, paNOW reporter Charlene Tebbutt will tweet from the courtroom.

 

 

– With files from Aaron Schulze and the Canadian Press

cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

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