Redwater RCMP have charged the driver of a semi-tractor involved in a collision with a Thorhild school bus that claimed the life of student Maisie Watkinson.
RCMP announced in a July 9 press release 40-year-old Sukhdeep Deol of Edmonton was arrested and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and criminal negligence causing death. He was released from custody July 8 after a judicial hearing and is set to appear in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court Aug. 2.
Deol's semi-tractor was part of a collision near the Range Road 223 and Township Road 594 intersection with a First Student school bus transporting Thorhild Central School March 7. The collision, which occurred during a foggy morning, resulted in the death of 15-year-old student Maisie Watkinson.
"Our thoughts remain now with the family and the affected," RCMP media relations Cpl. Ronald Bumbry said in an interview. "Not only the students, but school staff, and the community in general of Thorhild. Our thoughts continue to be with them during this difficult time."
Bumbry said collisions such as this take time to investigate, but RCMP sent its proposed charges to the Crown to review May 20. A warrant was subsequently put out for Deol June 19, but Bumbry said took time to find Deol given the amount he travels in his occupation.
Family responds
The charges did not come as a surprise to Watkinson's sister, Andrea Darby, who said the family had expected hefty charges.
"We feel somewhat at peace of mind right now but, I mean, it's still not going to change anything about what happened that day," Darby said in an interview. "It is what it is, but hopefully the charges will stick and something good will come out of it."
She added the family will be following the court case very closely and will attend whenever something is going on with the case.
Darby said Watkinson was a very outgoing person.
"She was very smart, loved every moment of her life. She lit up the darkest parts of anyone who crossed path with her," Darby said. "She was a huge glue to our family and made our family very special when she was here."
The months following Watkinson's death have been very painful for the family, Darby said.
"It's just been really hard to cope with everything. With new things that come up throughout the months and basically having to relive it again," Darby said. "But it's getting the justice for my sister is what's important."
Aspen View review carries on
The Thorhild crash prompted the Aspen View Public Schools board of trustees to vote unanimously March 15 to have a third party conduct a review of the school division's transportation policy and procedures.
Superintendent Mark Francis said that review is ongoing and is expected to be ready for its intended fall completion date.
But he added the results of the RCMP investigation, and information on the crash that comes through court proceedings, could affect the review's findings. There is also some reassurance that came with the RCMP's announcement.
"The RCMP and Alberta Transportation have confirmed the transportation and company and bus driver were following the rules and have not been held at fault," Francis said in an interview. "We are reassured to know the bus driver wasn't at fault."
Alberta Carrier Services investigated First Student, the contractor for the school bus involved in the collision, after the incident. In a report dated March 13, public safety investigator Drake Ferguson said he found no evidence of noncompliance to provincial transportation legislation or the National Safety Code.
The division review is independent of the RCMP investigation, Francis said, and the charges does not affect the review's timeline.
"This is going to be very emotionally taxing on the family and community and the school," he said. "We're just going to continue to support the family and Thorhild community through this process."
Province announces commercial trucking regulation overhaulÂ
The Ministry of Transportation announced its plans to improve training, testing and oversight of the commercial trucking industry July 10.
The plan had been in the works for some time, but the Humboldt bus crash was an impetus for focus on the need to do more, according to Minister of Transportation Brian Mason.
The province plans to make entry-level training mandatory for all commercial drivers, mandate new commercial carriers prove compliance with national standards before receiving safety certification and modify the driver examiner road test model.
"Safety on Alberta roads is a top priority and a commitment of our government. We have laid the groundwork for changes that will enhance safety and improve services for Albertans. Now we need to hear from Albertans and stakeholders about the best approach," Mason said in a July 10 press conference.
The mandatory entry-level training will apply to those seeking licences to driver tractor trailers, buses and school buses, according to a Jul 10 press release.
The province is conducting consultations throughout July with the intent of introducing the new regulations in January 2019, Mason said.
Occupational Health and Safety Investigation ongoing
An investigation by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) into the March 7 Thorhild bus crash is continuing, according to Alberta Labour spokesperson Vivian Binnema.
Investigators are given up to two years to complete the investigation, Binnema said. She added she could not provide details on the investigation itself.
Speaking generally, Binnema said any matters of non-compliance to OHS legislation which come up in an investigation could be forwarded to Crown prosecutors at Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.
"If OHS determines there was non-compliance with OHS legislation, then they can forward the file," Binnema said. "The prosecutors can then determine whether to proceed with laying charges."
