As Crown and defence lawyers wrapped up their submissions in the case of truck driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu Thursday afternoon, Sidhu addressed the loved ones of the Humboldt Broncos players who were aboard the team bus Sidhu struck last year.
“I have taken the most valuable things of your life,” Sidhu said
“I can't even imagine what you guys are going through.”
Sidhu is in a Melfort, Sask., courtroom this week for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to 29 counts of dangerous driving in connection with the crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 others.
An emotional Sidhu said he hadn't realized what happened until he climbed out of his truck, which was on its side from the impact.
“I came out of the truck and I heard the kids crying. Until that time, I hadn't realized what had happened,” he said, his voice cracking. He wept during his statement.
“I take full responsibility of what has happened. It happened because of my lack of experience and I am so, so, so, so, so sorry."
Broncos loved ones listened intently, some sobbing, during Sidhu’s brief but emotional address.
Since he is a permanent resident and not a citizen, Sidhu will be deported from Canada if he is handed a sentence longer than six months.
The Crown is asking for 10 years for each count he pleaded guilty to, to be served concurrently, with a 10-year driving ban. The defence did not seek a specific sentence but cited cases involving sentences between 1.5 and 4.5 years.
