The families of five individuals who lost their lives in the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash are set to challenge a judge’s ruling that dismissed their legal action against the Saskatchewan government, the bus manufacturer, and the semi driver involved in the accident, according to their legal representative. The lawsuit, originally filed in July 2018 following a devastating collision between a semi-trailer and the hockey team’s bus that resulted in 16 fatalities and 13 injuries, was rejected by a Regina Court of King’s Bench judge last week.
Expressing their intent to appeal the decision, lawyer Kevin Mellor emphasized the importance of transparency in holding all responsible parties to account for the tragedy. The families, including those of Jaxon Joseph, Logan Hunter, Jacob Leicht, Adam Herold, and assistant coach Mark Cross, alleged that the provincial authorities were aware of visibility issues at the intersection where the crash occurred but failed to address them.
As the families sought justice, they argued that certain provisions within provincial legislation hindered their ability to pursue claims for negligence. Co-counsel Sharon Fox highlighted that the families’ pursuit of legal action was motivated by their desire for the justice system to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and recognize the significance of their loved ones’ lives.
Despite the government’s reliance on no-fault insurance regulations to limit liability, the families aimed to shed light on potential regulatory oversights that may have contributed to the accident. Mellor stressed that the case was not solely about financial compensation but also about holding authorities accountable for any lapses that could have prevented the tragic loss of life.
While Justice Graeme Mitchell’s ruling denied the plaintiffs the opportunity to revise their legal arguments, it favored the defendants in terms of legal costs. This outcome, if upheld, could set a precedent discouraging public scrutiny of preventable incidents resulting from regulatory failures.
The lawsuit also implicated the bus manufacturer, Motor Coach Industries Limited, the semi driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, and his employer ADT. Sidhu, who received a prison sentence for dangerous driving and faced deportation, was a focal point in the legal proceedings.