Page 15 - Newcom

SASKATCHEWAN
Twenty-nine charges laid on truck driver involved in Humboldt Broncos bus collision
By Derek Clouthier
REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN
Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the truck driver involved in the collision with the Humboldt Broncos team bus on April 6 killing 16 and injuring 13, was arrested July 6 and faces 29 charges.
The 29-year-old male from Calgary who worked for Adesh Deol Trucking 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.
Sidhu was arrested at his Calgary residence without incident and was scheduled to make his first appearance in Saskatchewan court to week following his arrest.
The investigation took approximately three months and included a reenactment of the colli- sion, over 60 interviews, more than 6,000 photos of the crash scene, and an analysis the driver’s log book.
Police gave little detail of the investigation, saying the integrity of the court process must now take precedence.
Derek Williams, superintendent of the RCMP’s major crimes unit, said the charges laid on Sidhu are “serious criminal code charges” that required evidence that the truck was being operated in a manner that is dangerous to the public.
Williams said his core unit of 20 investigators was supplemented with an additional 100 as required during the course of the investigation.
“We’ve looked at every aspect of the colli- sion, including the speed of the vehicles, point ofimpact,positionofthevehicles,impairment,
Chameleon carriers
One of the drivers and trucks from the carrier involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus collision is operating under a new numbered company, according to Alberta Transportation.
Though the lone driver employed by the num- bered company is not Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the individual who was involved in the incident that claimed the lives of 16 people and injured 13, Alberta Transportation is keeping a close eye on the carrier.
“Alberta Transportation did its due diligence by immediately suspending the numbered com- pany’s Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC) until the company could demonstrate it was in full com- pliance with all commercial transportation safety legislation,” read a statement released by Alberta Transportation. “Once the carrier demonstrated that it was in compliance Alberta Transportation had no legal grounds to maintain the suspension and the suspension was lifted on June 1.”
Conditions have been attached to the SFC of the numbered company, and a follow-up audit will be conducted during the coming months.
Graeme McElheran, director of communica- tions for Alberta Transportation, told Truck West it is important to understand that the suspension of Adesh Deol Trucking, the company involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus collision, applies to the carrier’s SFC, not to any individual involved with the company or its assets.
“While the carrier’s SFC remains suspended,”
road and weather conditions, and witness evi- dence,” Williams said during a live press confer- ence in Regina July 6. “Every piece of information was carefully examined.”
Investigators also met with the families affected by the incident to tell them the outcome of the investigation.
Susan Ewart, executive director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA), said, “The Saskatchewan Trucking Association thanks all of those involved in investigating the crash that occurred April 6. There are still many unan- swered questions around the circumstances of the accident. The STA will continue to work with our provincial government to ensure that safety on our roads is a priority for all commercial drivers and trucking companies.”
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) also remains committed to safety improvements in the wake of these charges.
Sending condolences to those affected by the incident, the CTA said though the facts sur- rounding the charges have not been revealed, once they have been made public, the associa- tion will pursue opportunities with the provinces and federal government to make improvements to the commercial vehicle safety system.
The Alberta government echoed sentiments to the families impacted by the tragedy, saying, “As soon as we were notified that the driver and truck were registered in Alberta, we launched an investigation as part of our government’s due dil- igence following such a tragedy. The findings of that investigation have been turned over to the RCMP and we cannot get into details as those itemsarenowbeforethecourts.”TW
said McElheran, “there is nothing stopping any of the people involved with the company from seeking employment elsewhere.”
However, if a carrier’s SFC is downgraded to unsatisfactory, all owners, directors, and stake- holder of the company are prohibited from apply- ing for a new SFC for a period of six months.
“They might work for another carrier, but if they are found to have executive or manage- ment roles, Alberta Transportation may suspend, downgrade, or apply conditions to the carrier’s SFC,” said McElheran.
Chris Nash, president of the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), said more needs to be done at the legislative level to help prevent this type of thing from happening.
“Current legislation does not prevent carri- ers or owners with poor ratings from closing their current company only to register as a new company and new owner with a clean record while operating all the same staff and vehi-
cles from the previous identified poorly rated company,” said Nash, adding that the conse- quences of the lack of regulation is unsafe carri- ers continuing to operate.
During an announcement July 10 at the AMTA’s Calgary office, Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason said the government would look
to stop issuing new carriers temporary fitness certificates starting January 2019 in an effort to remedy chameleon carriers. TW
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August 2018 • Truck West 15