An Indian-origin truck driver has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to causing the crash that killed former Canadian Olympic figure skater Alexandra Paul and injured her infant son in Ontario.
Sukhwinder Sidhu was sentenced after admitting responsibility for the fatal collision that occurred in Melancthon Township on August 22, 2023.
The court heard Sidhu had been working a 26-hour shift and had spent nearly 16 hours behind the wheel before driving into stopped traffic in a construction zone on County Road 124.
As per reports, prosecutors said the truck was travelling at around 107 kilometres per hour in a zone where the speed limit had been reduced to 60km/h due to roadworks.
The crash involved seven vehicles. Paul’s car was reportedly pushed into a ditch by the force of the collision.
Paul, who represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics alongside husband Mitch Islam, died at the scene. Their 10-month-old son Charlie survived but suffered a broken leg.
During sentencing, Paul’s family delivered emotional victim impact statements describing the devastating loss of the accomplished athlete, lawyer and mother. Her parents also spoke of the profound impact her death had on the family.
Before sentencing, Sidhu apologised in court and accepted full responsibility for the collision.
“I know there is nothing I can say that will fix this,” he told the court through tears.
The judge said the sentence reflected both the seriousness of the offence and mitigating factors including Sidhu’s lack of prior criminal convictions and strong family support. However, the court also noted concerns about his driving history, including previous speeding offences in construction zones.
In addition to the prison sentence, Sidhu was banned from driving for seven years.
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