Truck driver causes $1.2 million dollars in damage, loses appeal, and faces one year in jail

After causing an estimated $1.2 million in damages after crashing the bucket of his big rig into the Burlington Skyway Bridge, a driver sought to lighten his punishment but lost his appeal.

The crash occurred in Ontario, Canada, on July 31, 2014, according to a report from CBC. Thirty-eight-year-old Sukhvinder Raiwas was found guilty of dangerous driving in 2016 and sentenced to one year in jail. His appeal was denied on July 6, 2018.

Despite Rai’s claims that the punishment was too harsh and the sentence should be lightened, the court of appeal did not agree.

According to court documents, “The appellant’s dangerous driving caused injuries to three people … and substantial damage to a major bridge and several other vehicles. As well, the appellant had a previous conviction for impaired driving. Taken together, these factors easily support the one year sentence imposed by the trial judge.”

As reported by The Hamilton Spectator, Rai was unaware that the bucket was raised as he drove down the highway. The impact caused severe damage to the bridge, as well as a truck that was driving alongside Rai. Three people were injured and the bridge’s Toronto-bound lanes were closed for four days

Rai’s blood alcohol levels tested twice the legal limit, however, he was not tested until five hours following the incident. The tests were ruled inadmissible as evidence.

“The appellant’s dangerous driving caused injuries to three people and substantial damage to a major bridge and several other vehicles,”

The appeal’s unanimous denial came with valid reasoning.

“The appellant’s dangerous driving caused injuries to three people and substantial damage to a major bridge and several other vehicles,”

the appeal judges wrote in their decision.

“As well, the appellant had a previous conviction for impaired driving. Taken together, these factors easily support the one-year sentence imposed by the trial judge.”