Sentencing hearing for driver in deadly train crash
A sentencing hearing got underway Monday for a Brampton man who admitted to being behind the wheel of the car that crashed into a train at a railway crossing in Tottenham nearly three years ago.
30-year-old Jarmanjeet Singh pleaded guilty to his part in the deadly crash that claimed the lives of two young women, 19 and 24 years of age, who were among four passengers in his car on their way to work the overnight shift when it was hit by the train along the 5th line.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
Singh heard directly from those he hurt in the deadly crash, including the train’s conductor and a passenger in Singh’s car, who lost her sister and best friend that night. Both women read their victim impact statements to the court. CTV News will not be naming the women
“I have been experiencing nightmares,” said the woman who described coming to Canada from India to study and create a new life for herself.
“I can’t even sleep,” she added. Crying, the woman described immense grief and regret for having convinced her younger sister to join her in Canada about a month earlier.
“I have to live with the guilt that I recommended her for the job. She was just 19. She just came to Canada 45 days prior.”
The young woman described the loss of her loved ones and never getting to say goodbye. She told the court she was in a coma fighting for her own life in hospital where she remained for two months following the crash.
She outlined for the court the horrific injuries she suffered that night, including a brain bleed, collapsed lung and damaged spine, ankle and pelvis. She explained persistent and daily headaches as well as long-term effects on her menstrual cycle.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
“Everything is ruined,” she told the court.
The conductor of the train then read her victim impact statement to the court, sharing her life-altering trauma.
“Since October 14, 2021, there hasn’t been a single day of my life that I don’t think about the accident,” she read.
“I will forever be burdened by the actions of a stranger.” The woman described significant physical and mental health challenges she’s faced since the crash. She said it affected her confidence to make once simple, everyday choices.
“This will forever impact my life and those around me,” she explained.
Police said the young women from Brampton were temporary workers at a nearby automotive parts factory and were driven by Singh.
Police confirmed at the time of the crash the train signals were flashing but the crossing did not have arm barriers.
It wasn’t until April of last year, with the help of U.S. customs and border protection officers, provincial police say Singh was tracked down and arrested. He was initially charged with two counts of criminal negligence causing death, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, obstruction of justice and failing to stop at the railway crossing.
Singh’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to resume next month in Barrie, where the remaining two victim impact statements are expected to be read to the court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Fine dining, at a new high. A Michelin-starred chef will take his cuisine to our upper atmosphere
Six guests are set to ascend aboard Spaceship Neptune to the stratosphere, where they will enjoy an immersive dining experience served up by Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk.