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The truck driver charged in connection with the Humboldt Broncos bus crash was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance.
Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, 29, made his first appearance Tuesday in Melfort Provincial Court. He faces 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
The Crown consented to Sidhu’s release on a number of conditions. Those include $1,000 bail, a ban on operating a motor vehicle while out of custody and an order to surrender his passport.
Sidhu is also not allowed to change his Calgary address and can’t travel more than 100 kilometres from his home. He is required to see a doctor as instructed by a probation officer and must check in regularly with police either in person or by phone.
Sidhu was taken into custody Friday at his home in Calgary
The Broncos’ team bus was involved in a crash with a semi truck on April 6. The collision ultimately left 16 people dead and 13 injured.
Dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. The maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing bodily harm is 10 years in prison.
Jaskirat Singh Sidhu has arrived at Melfort Provincial Court, ahead of his 9:30 a.m. first appearance on 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. #HumboldtBroncos pic.twitter.com/GEuHv3WmaY
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) July 10, 2018
Bereaved father speaks outside court
Scott Thomas was among the people who attended Tuesday’s hearing. His son Evan was one of the Broncos players killed in the crash.
“I just wanted to come today and represent the families that maybe wanted to be here that couldn’t be here and at least have a presence in the building that maybe he would feel a bit responsible for taking our sons’ lives,” he said outside the courthouse.
Scott Thomas says he felt “empty” when he caught eye contact with Jaskirat Singh Sidhu in court. Thomas lost his 18yo son Evan in the #HumboldtBroncos crash. pic.twitter.com/qGT1eDyO75
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) July 10, 2018
Thomas said he didn’t feel much emotion when he saw Sidhu in court, but felt it was important to be there in case he pleads guilty.
“That’s all I wanted to accomplish today was to hopefully see him face-to-face and in case this never goes to trial, then he’s seen my face.”
Sidhu is due back in court on Aug. 21.
—With files from 650 CKOM’s Chris Vandenbreekel