The prosecution in the Humboldt Bronco's bus crash is seeking a 10 year prison sentence for the driver of the semi-tractor.
Crown prosecutor Thomas Healey told a sentencing hearing in Melfort, Sask., that the horrific and unprecedented collision calls for a lengthy sentence.
In addition to the prison sentence, a 10-year driving prohibition following the prison term is also being sought.
"I'm not aware of any other collision like this one before in Canadian history," Healey said Thursday. "This crime and its consequences are as serious as any others that have been placed before this court."
According to the agreed statement of facts, the semi-tractor unit did not stop prior to entering the intersection and there were no tire or skid marks left by the tractor-trailer due to breaking. At the point of impact, it was traveling upwards of 96 km/h.
The driver of the truck, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, spoke in court and recalled the scene, saying "I came out of the truck and I heard the kids crying. Until then I hadn’t realized what had happened. I then realized it’s a bus. I take full responsibility of what has happened. It happened because of lack of experience. And I am so, so , so sorry for this day.”
Court is now adjourned until March 22nd when the judge will make a decision, about two weeks before the one year anniversary of the crash.
16 people died as a result of the crash in April 2018 and 13 were injured.