The eight-year prison sentence handed down today (March 22) by a judge in Melfort, Saskatchewan to the driver of a semi that killed 16 people and injured 13 others, including an Airdrie teen, last April in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, isn't going to bring anyone back according to his mother.  

30-year-old Jaskirat Singh Sidhu of Calgary had earlier plead guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.  Today he received his sentence in the Saskatchewan courtroom.  The judge, Inez Cardinal, said she knew the clock couldn't be turned back for the victims or their families as she delivered the sentence.  Those words were virtually echoed by Michelle Straschnitzki who said the sentence brought mixed emotions.

"On the one hand I'm glad that it seems to have been wrapped up and handed a fairly harsh sentence, I think.  Having said that it really doesn't change the outcome of what happened.  It can't bring anyone back.  I know that there's limitations within the legal system but I think part of why I'm not satisfied yet is I find there's a lot more people responsible for the accident than just the driver."

Straschnitzki says she really can't describe the sentence as fair, either.  "I don't know if I could say fair.  I don't think any number of years or any sentence would be enough to help right now but the fact that they are treating it rather harshly.  It helps, I think, in some ways."

Although the Straschnitzki family has been devastated by the accident and its aftermath, Michelle can still see some good that's come from it.  "Certainly the province of Saskatchewan has started to enact the transportation safety measures and they're looking at more intense driver training," says Straschnitzki. " It should be Canada wide, it shouldn't be in just one province at a time and it needs to happen right away.  Also, I think the Logan Boulet effect has had such an impact on all of us and all of our country, I think that's a positive to take away."

Boulet was seriously injured in the crash and died a short time later.  Earlier, he had told his parents of his desire to become an organ donor.  Six people benefitted from receiving Boulet's organs but when people heard of his selfless act, something amazing happened.  More than 100,000 Canadians have now signed organ donor cards, which is known as the "Logan Boulet Effect."

While Straschnitzki doesn't expect to get closure following today's sentencing, she does hope that it will allow the family to put this chapter of their lives to bed and allow them to move forward. 

What's next for the family?  Straschnitzki says they're all looking forward to getting back into their home that's being renovated to meet Ryan's new mobility needs.  "Hopefully in a month or so we'll be able to move back.  That will be a lot of work itself.  We'll be unpacking boxes while also, I believe, metaphorically unpacking a lot of things that we've been dealing with this year.  It'll be another step, another process."  

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