On April 6, a bus carrying Sasketchewan Junior Hockey League team, the Humboldt Broncos, was involved in a fatal collision which resulted in the deaths of 16 people, and left 13 others injured.
Across the world, the hockey community came together to mourn the tragic loss of life. Tributes ranged from a moment of silence, to leaving sticks out for the boys, to donating a custom goalie mask. The Broncos coach, Darcy Haugan, also posthumously received the inaugural Willie O’Ree award at the NHL Awards in June.
Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that they had arrested and pressed 29 charges against the driver of the semi-truck, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, which include 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, and 13 counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily injury. He is set to appear in court in Saskatchewan next week.
BREAKING: Driver of semi-truck that collided with Humboldt Broncos bus has been 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.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) July 6, 2018
Sidhu was working for Calgary-based Adesh Deol Trucking Ltd. when the crash occurred. The semi-truck was, according to RCMP, heading westbound on Highway 335, while the Humboldt Broncos’ bus was travelling northbound to playoff game in Nipawin. The Broncos bus had right of way. Sidhu, allegedly, failed to wait at a stop sign and was in the intersection when the bus and semi-truck collided.
Sidhu, who was uninjured in the crash, was briefly detained after the collision and later released.
Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson will bring the Stanley Cup to Humboldt on August 24, when he has his day with the NHL’s championship trophy.
Headline photo: @hockeynight
