Coast Mountain bus driver fined $1,500 for careless driving in fatal crash that killed co-worker

A Coast Mountainbus driver has been ordered to pay a$1,500 fine for careless driving in an incident that lefta co-worker pinned between two buses and led to his death.

Mandip Kaur Sidhu, 47,received the sentenceFriday at the provincial court in Vancouver for driving without due care and attention. She was charged in August 2022 and pleaded guilty earlier this month.

The charge and sentence arefora September 2021 incident in downtown Vancouver that killedfellow bus driver Charanjit Parhar, 64.

Summary of facts

During the two-day sentencing hearing,Judge James Sutherland summarizeddetails of the incident, notingthe crash happened while Sidhu was driving an articulated trolley bus east on West Cordova Street just after 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2021. It was a route and type of vehicle she had driven many times before.

Sidhustopped at a bus stop directly behind another bus with its four-way flashers on.

Parhar walked toward her bus. He told her the bus had a mechanical issue. She assumed he'd walk to the back ofhisbus to fix the issue.

Sidhu's bus suddenly accelerated into Parhar and his bus. She had testified shewas sure her foot had been on the brake pedal. Parhar's bus was launched forward at least 1 metres.

Parhar was left pinned between two vehicles. Hedied the next day from his injuries.

'Humble' and 'caring' man

The judge noted Sidhuis a single mother who hadbeen driving school buses since 2007. She was hired by Coast Mountain in November 2020 and had a month and a half of training.

Sutherland noted the sentencing was "complex" but required an "element of retribution," a legal term providing that sentences be based on the seriousness of the offence and be proportional to the harm done by the offender.

"Ms. Sidhu does not pose a risk to the public even when operating a vehicle," Sutherland said. "She had a nearly perfect driving record, and it was a momentary lapse of attention."

He noted that Sidhufeels guilt,shame and remorse. She has beendiagnosed with PTSD and depression.

Sidhu apologized to Parhar's family in court.

Parharleft behind a wife and three daughters, and a friend said he loved to play with his grandchildren every weekend.

A union leader described Parhar as a "humble" and "caring" man who was on the job for 21 years.

A TransLink spokesperson said Sidhuis still employed by Coast Mountain Bus Company, the transit authority's contracted bus operator,but has been on leave since the incident.

Parhar's family declined to comment as they left court.