The mother of a survivor of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash hopes the truck driver involved in the crash is given a sentence long enough to send a clear message to others on the road.
Michelle Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan was left a paraplegic in the crash, told ŰÎŰ´ŤĂ˝ Channel that although not everyone will be happy with the sentence, she hopes itâs stiff enough to make others think twice about driving recklessly.
âUnfortunately, regardless of the sentence tomorrow, for some it will never be enough, and for others it doesnât make any difference because it canât bring anyone back. But I want it to send enough of a message that no other person does something like this again,â she said.
Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the driver of the semi that collided with the Humboldt Broncoâs team bus, pleaded guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm back in January.
Sidhu is scheduled to be sentenced in the matter on Friday. The prosecution is looking for a 10-year sentence.
Ryan Straschnitzki is already back on the ice playing sledge hockey, but his mother says heâs still coping with the aftermath of the crash.
âThe biggest challenge for him has just been mentally keeping himself going and he wonât talk to us about anything emotional. But Iâm hoping that he and the boys can still talk to each other and they know that theyâve got each otherâs backs,â she said.
The sentence will mark the end of the emotional trial. In January, 90 victim impact statements were read in court by the victimsâ loved ones.
The Straschnitzki family will not be in court for the sentencing.
Looking forward, Straschnitzki says she hopes to see widespread changes to the law.
âIâm looking for some way of making sure that there will be real changes and people will think twice about changing the law. We want real changes to happen and I think Saskatchewan has started the ball rolling very well with that. It should be all across Canada.â