The Alberta semi driver charged in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash that killed 16 and injured 13 others is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, where he is expected to choose the avenue in which his case will be heard.
It’s not known if Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, 29, will appear in person at Melfort provincial court for defence election, which involves the accused choosing to have the case heard at either the provincial court level or the Queen’s Bench level. Sidhu has not yet entered any pleas to his 29 charges of dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.
Jaskirat Sidhu, the semi driver facing charges in connection with the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash, leaves Melfort provincial court on July 10, 2018
Sidhu is living in Calgary after he was released, by consent, on $1,000 bail in July. Because he is out of custody, he is not required to appear in court until his preliminary hearing.
“Only if he elects trial by provincial court is he asked to enter a plea,” Crown prosecutor Robin Ritter said outside court in August. “If an election is to a higher court, like the Court of Queen’s Bench judge alone or judge and jury, then it’s set for a preliminary inquiry.”
The semi driver was charged after his semi collided with a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos hockey team on April 6 north of Tisdale.
Singh was not in the courtroom in August, but did appear in July when the Crown consented to his release on numerous conditions. Sidhu had to forfeit his passport and is not allowed to drive while out of custody.
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