Truck driver from Humboldt hockey team crash pleads guilty to 29 counts, avoids trial

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the driver of the truck involved in an accident that killed 16 junior hockey players and left 13 others injured in a 2018 crash, pleaded guilty to all 29 counts of dangerous driving on Tuesday. 

In the fatal crash last April, the Humboldt Broncos — a team of 16- to 21-year-olds — were on their way to a playoff game in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League when their bus and Sidhu’s semi collided in rural Saskatchewan. 

“I plead guilty, your honor,” Sidhu said as he stood before a judge in Melfort, Saskatchewan, according to the Toronto Star.

Because he pleaded guilty to all counts, there will be no trial. 

“His position to me was, ‘I just want to plead guilty. I don’t want you to plea bargain. I don’t want a trial,’” Sidhu’s lawyer, Mark Brayford, told reporters. “Mr. Sidhu advised me: ‘I don’t want to make things any worse. I can’t make things any better, but I certainly don’t want to make them worse by having a trial.’”

Sidhu, 29, was arrested in July following a lengthy investigation. He suffered no injuries in the crash. 

Sentencing will begin on Jan 28. Sidhu faces maximum sentences of 14 years for dangerous driving causing death and 10 years for dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

Broncos president Jamie Brockman said in a statement that the guilty pleas were a "positive step," in the healing process, adding, "I commend Mr. Sidhu for taking responsibility for his actions and sparing the survivors and the families the anguish and turmoil of rehashing this tragedy in court."

Brayford said Sidhu wanted the victims' parents to know that he was "devastated" and that he's been "overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy and kindness that some of the families and players have expressed to him, in spite of the fact that grief is entirely his fault."

The tragedy became an international story, as a GoFundMe account for the Humboldt team raised more than $15 million; the money raised will be shared among the 29 families affected.

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