Michelle Straschnitzki of Airdrie calls the 29 charges laid on Friday (July 6) against the semi driver in the April crash that claimed the lives of 16 people and injured 13 more, including her son Ryan, a good start.  

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu of 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 Injury.  He's to make his first appearance in a Saskatchewan court next week. 

The semi he was driving collided with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos to a playoff game in Nipawin.  Ryan was one of the 13 injured and was left with a broken back and paralysis from the chest down.

Michelle explains what she means by "a good start."  "I don't want to ruin this guy's life but careless driving or whatever it was, he changed the lives of more than 29 people that day.  It needs to be brought to, I would say, legislation changes in the trucking industry and probably Canada wide.  It's a good start in my opinion."

When it comes to whether or not the family holds any animosity against Sidhu, Michelle says she doesn't want to let anger get in the way of Ryan's recovery. 

"It's like this.  We know, we all understand that day that man did not go out to do this.  That was never his intention, however, his actions did.  There is anger but we are trying to just focus on the here and the now.  I know Ryan is just trying to focus on his brothers and the healing process for everyone and I think he's just leaving it to the court system and the police."

Michelle says Ryan is doing surprisingly well and was buoyed by a visit from his girlfriend this weekend.

"They've been out and about and he's learned how to car transfer, so that's awesome.   He's got a little bit more freedom back so he's able to be as normal as possible right now.  He's just really excited about what he's doing right now."

Ryan is happy to be back in Airdrie and has had a steady stream of friends coming by.  The Straschnitzki house is currently being renovated for Ryan.  Michelle says they had a "basement wrecking party" on Saturday where volunteers tore out everything.  Once the demolition portion of the project is complete, the family will be out of their home until the renovations are complete, a process that Michelle expects to take three to four month.

The family will be staying at Airdrie's Wingate Hotel while the renovations are done.  Michelle says the hotel has been "awesome" in helping them.  She also wants to express her thanks on behalf of the family to everyone in Airdrie and Calgary who have expressed their support for Ryan in so many ways.  

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