An emotional four days took place in Melfort during the sentencing hearing for the semi driver involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu.

The Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort was transformed into a courthouse for the 4-day hearing that started with the forensic traffic report of the crash, which was accepted by the court as facts, followed by the victim impact statements (VIS) on January 28th. 

The forensic traffic report stated that there were no weather conditions that would have caused the accident and there were no obstructions either. The semi that collided with the Bronco Bus was travelling at 86-96 km /hr and failed to stop at the intersection.

The bus was travelling at 96-107 km/hr and skidded for about 24 meters before impact.

"The action of Mr. Sidhu was responsible for the crash," said Thomas Healey, Crown Prosecutor.

Over 70 VIS were heard over the course of three days. Grief and loss echoed through the room, whereas forgiveness towards Mr. Sidhu was understandably split. 

"I do not believe Mr. Sidhu is an evil person who feels no remorse. I believe Mr. Sidhu wishes he could start April 6th over again, we all do," said Toby Boulet father of Logan Boulet. 

"I have no forgiveness. I want you to know that your senseless lack of care has changed everything. There is nothing the courtroom can do to fill the gaping hole in my heart," said Robin Lukan, mother of Connor Lukan.

At the end of day one, 39 VIS were submitted to the court. 

"This has been a very difficult and emotional day for everyone involved, especially for the survivors', the families, and their friends. The victim impact statements that were read in the court today and placed before the court, they were truly powerful, heartbreaking, and difficult to describe. I would like the thank the families who were willing to let their voices be heard today and to express themselves in this process, we know it was difficult," Healey said in closing remarks to the media following day one. 

Another common theme throughout VIS was the need for change to the transport industry and the laws surrounding it. 

"I would like to give a message of hope and a message of change. I hope all the ministers of transportation are listening and I hope you're talking. I'm not looking to lay blame, there certainly should be someone standing up there with Mr. Sidhu. I hope for Lily's sake and my other children's sake that you are having a very important conversation. I wish you were here, I wish you would listen to everything that was said. This is something (trucking laws) that should have been changed 20 years ago,"  said Celeste Leicht, mother of Jacob Leicht, who was holding Assistant Coach Chirs Beaudry's infant daughter Lily Brons Beaudry, named after Athletic Therapist Dana Brons who passed away in the crash. 

The VIS lasted until January 30th. On January 31st the Crown and Defence presented their submissions to the court. 

The Crown's submission of aggravating factors included the causing of 16 deaths and 13 injured, the devastated impact of family and friends and communities, he was a professional driver capable of exercising proper driving, and it occurred at a well-marked intersection in the middle of the day with a red flashing stop sign.

A breakdown of the forensic traffic report that included speed, perception/reaction distance (stopping distance) and the distances of the signs leading up to the intersection showed that Sidhu had multiple chances to stop and plenty of time/distance to do so given his speed.

There were 5 signs along the route that Sidhu would have seen. Sidhu would have needed 119 meters to stop if he was travelling at 96 km/h.

A junction sign which was 406 m east of the stop sign.
A yellow stop sign ahead sign which was 301 m before the stop sign.
A green city sign 198 m before the stop sign.
A general information sign with road numbers and directions 104 m before the stop sign.
Finally, the oversized stop sign 4 meters in diameter with a flashing red light at the intersection. 

Given all this information, along with looking at prior distracted driving cases in Canada, and the Victim Impact Statements, the crown submitted a request for a 10-year jail sentence with 10 years of probation.

The defence's submission revolved around Mr. Sidhu being an inexperienced driver along with distraction that led to missing the sign leading up to the intersection. 

"What is the moral culpability and what is the level of responsibility," said Mark Brayford, a lawyer for Jaskirat Singh Sidhu. "There isn't some formula where you have 29 counts but they all come from the same culpable act. So what is the right sentence."

Sidhu received his first trucking employment three weeks before the crash on March 17th and was only driving by himself for one week prior to April 6th. The defence also mentioned that the tarps covering a load of peat moss he was carrying had started to lift off. This, in turn, forced his attention away from the road ahead of him causing him to not recognize the signs and unintentionally run through the intersection. 

"He did not deliberately choose to run through the stop sign," said Brayford.

The defence concluded their submissions with no sentencing suggestions. 

Following the submissions, Judge Cardinal asked Sidhu if he would like to speak to the court which he accepted. 

Sidhu took some time to collect himself, placed both hands on the desk in front of him, and faced the families of the victims while making his statement. 

"I can't even imagine what you guys are going through. I have taken the most valuable things in your life. I came out of the truck and I heard the kids crying. Until that time I didn't know what happen. I take full responsibility for what happened. It happened because my lack of experience and I am so so so so so sorry."

Sidhu's comments struck emotion in both the families of the victims, along with his own. 

Judge Cardinal will now take in all the facts presented and set aside March 22nd for the sentencing date.