January 31 wrapped up a week of sentence hearing for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash case. 

After a week of Victim Impact Statements, Judge Inez Cardinal reserved the sentencing decision for March 22.

The driver of the semi-truck that crashed into the Humboldt Broncos bus, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, pled guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The tragedy occurred on April 6, 2018, at the intersection of Highways 35 and 335 in Saskatchewan. Airdrie's Ryan Straschnitzki was on the bus that was involved in the crash and is now paralyzed from the chest down.

"The court has a particularly difficult job as there is no sentencing precedent in Canada for a case such as this," explains Crown Prosecutor Thomas Healy. He says that sentencing is an individualized process that takes many factors into account.

"The court will have to weigh the grave consequences of Mr. Sidhu's criminal actions, the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the offence including the early guilty plea, and his expression of remorse." 

Many family members of those involved in the crash made Victim Impact Statements over the past week; an undeniably difficult ordeal. Tom and Michelle Straschnitzki, Ryan's parents, also made statements at the sentencing hearing. 

Healy thanked everyone who made their statements over the duration of the week.

 

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