The family of Adam Herold, one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, attend the sentencing for Jaskirat Singh Sidhu in Melfort. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Teena Monteleone

Humboldt Broncos

Families, victims of Broncos crash react to trucker’s sentence

Mar 22, 2019 | 1:37 PM

Judge Inez Cardinal told court in Melfort she approached Jaskirat Singh Sidhu’s sentence knowing “nothing can turn back the clock.”

In handing down an eight-year prison term to the 30-year-old man, she noted his remorse and guilty plea were mitigating factors, but added she had to consider the number of people who died or were severely injured and face life-long challenges as a result of the crash he caused. She said the loss tore families apart.

Following the sentencing, several of those families and others impacted by the crash offered their reaction to the sentencing:

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“The sentence is subject to varying opinions but what is important is that Mr. Sidhu plead guilty, has shown remorse and has remained accountable for his careless actions.”

Mark Dahlgren, Father of survivor Kaleb Dahlgren –

“It doesn’t really change anything and I hope that Mr. Sidhu thinks about what has happened and I hope it’s a message to the trucking industry that it’s not OK to wheel those big weights down the highways with disregard to laws for the road.”

Chris Joseph, father of Jaxon Joseph, speaks to reporters outside of court in Melfort. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW)

Chris Joseph, Father of Jaxon Joseph –

“As far as the number goes, me personally, I knew I was going to be disappointed no matter what. There is no number that would have made me happy but I respect the fact that Judge Cardinal did a really thorough job.”

Christina Haugen, Wife of Coach Darcy Haugen –

“There are no winners here so we made the conscious decision not to get tied up into numbers. I think the court did their job.”

Raelene and Russ Herold, parents of Adam Herold, said they would never forgive Jaskirat Singh Sidhu. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW)

Raelene Herold, Mother of victim Adam Herold –

“I know it was a high number of years [that was] precedent-setting in the eyes of the justice system. But for killing my son — no.”

Thomas Healey, Crown Lawyer –

“We recognize there is no sentence that can return any of the victims or their families to where they were before this criminal act took place.”

“The Crown trusts that this sentence will send a very strong message to everyone using our highways. And that message is that criminal driving will not be tolerated.”

Dr. Chanan Singh Sidhu, uncle to semi driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, travelled from the UK to support his nephew at the sentencing. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW)

Dr. Chanan Singh Sidhu, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu’s uncle –

“We also feel indebted to the families and the Canadian public at large for the support, sympathy and understanding they have shown throughout this trial for my nephew and our family.”

—

– with files from the Canadian Press

news@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW