BOWDEN, ALBERTA –
The Parole Board of Canada has released the truck driver who caused the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash on parole day for six months.
After an emotional, seven-hour hearing at the Bowden Institute on Wednesday, the two-judge panel said Jaskirat Singh Sidhu will receive full parole after those six months if he complies with all conditions, including no contact with the victims’ families.
Sidhu was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving charges for the 2018 crash that killed 16 and injured 13.
Sidhu ran a stop sign at an intersection in Saskatchewan and drove into the path of a youth hockey team bus traveling to a playoff game.
Family members of four of Humboldt’s victims petitioned the board to deny Sidhu parole.
“Where is the faith when we hold people accountable for our laws? I have lost all faith in justice in our country to make sure we are safe on the roads,” said Shawna Nordstrom, whose son Logan Hunter died in the crash.
She had little sympathy for Sidhu and his wife, who is also from India.
“This couple wanted to start a life together, but if our rules are broken, there are consequences and your consequence is time served and then deportation. You really messed up your only chance,” she said.
“My son didn’t get a chance and we are serving a life sentence.
Andrea Joseph, her husband and daughter, who is getting married at the weekend, were also heard at the hearing.
Joseph said she had to relive every moment of the day Sidhu took her son Jackson’s life. She said Sidhu’s actions were of a “very selfish human being”.
“I want you to know that I haven’t stopped crying for my baby boy. I haven’t stopped whispering goodnight to my baby boy and I hope he will come and visit me in my dreams,” she said, wiping away tears.
“Please do not grant parole on this day. It will break my heart, the hearts of my family and the hearts of Canadians who have children and want their children to be protected.”
Russ Herold, who lost his son Adam, said the thought of Sidhu being released disgusts him.
“The thought of Mr. Sidhu being released on parole so soon is disappointing and further harms the healing process.” My son had no choice,” he said.
“He was an innocent passenger on a bus, going to his hockey game and minding his own business.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the commission grilled Sidhu for three hours, asking about inconsistencies in some of his initial statements, including telling his boss he was distracted by a flapping tarp and then explaining to RCMP that there was sunshine in the eyes.
The panel chair also asked why Sidhu missed a number of stop sign warnings, why he didn’t call 911 or help the victims after the crash.
“You had enough opportunity to respond to do something. Why didn’t you go help?” she asked.
“I didn’t know what to do when I saw blood, I saw people on the ground. I heard people crying. I just froze,” Sidhu replied.
Sidhu apologized to the families following their victim impact statements.
“I want the parole board to know that what I did was very terrible, it destroyed the lives of so many families. I hurt each and every one of them deeply. I destroyed their dreams, I destroyed their future and now I have caused them unbearable pain,” Sidhu said.
“I’m sorry for the pain I caused. I’m sorry I ruined their lives. I’m sorry I wasn’t careful that day.”
He said he never meant to hurt anyone or for this to happen to anyone.
Canada Border Services Agency recommended in March that Sidhu be handed over to the Immigration and Refugee Board to decide whether he should be deported back to India.
His lawyer is trying to challenge the deportation in Federal Court.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 20, 2022.
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