Mamandeep Singh of India has been fined $1,000 for driving without due care and attention, resulting in the deaths of two people.
Singh entered a guilty plea in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Monday through his lawyer, Estes Fonkalsrud. The court heard that Singh has since returned to India due to his visa status.
Crown prosecutor Rob Parker told the court that an investigation by an RCMP Saskatchewan collision reconstructionist found that on April 5, 2024, at about 6:15 a.m., the vehicle Singh was driving southbound on Highway 2 near Sandy Point crossed the centre line and collided head-on with another vehicle.
According to a police news release following the crash, the driver and lone occupant of the other vehicle — a 56-year-old man from Fort McMurray, Alta. — was killed in the collision.
A 52-year-old woman from India, who was a passenger in Singh’s vehicle and a family member, was also killed. Police said at the time that Singh and two other passengers were injured.
The court heard that Singh continues to suffer health issues as a result of the crash. He has undergone one surgery and requires more, and he still does not have full mobility in his knees.
Parker said the Crown had the option to lay criminal charges but determined they were not warranted. However, he felt a more substantial fine than the minimum voluntary payment typically attached to a ticket for driving without due care and attention was appropriate.
Judge David Chow gave Singh 30 days to pay the fine. Fonkalsrud said payment arrangements are being made and he just needed time to get the cheque to the courthouse.
A charge of driving without a licence was withdrawn by the Crown. Parker clarified that while Singh did not have a Saskatchewan driver’s licence, he was legally permitted to drive in Canada, and the charge had been laid in error.