Adjournment granted for semi driver charged in Humboldt Broncos bus crash

The lawyer of the semi-driver charged in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash was granted an adjournment during a Tuesday morning court appearance.

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, 29, is charged with 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and another 13 charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm in the deadly crash.

His lawyer, Satnam Aujla, told the judge he spoke with the Crown and requested “the matter be adjourned … for election and plea.”

Sidhu was not present and his next appearance is scheduled for Nov. 27.

He is not required to be in court at this stage of the proceedings.

Sixteen people were killed and 13 others injured when the bus carrying the Broncos to a playoff game and a semi collided on April 6 at an intersection in eastern Saskatchewan.

WATCH BELOW: Semi driver charged in Humboldt Broncos bus crash appears in court

1:27 Court appearance adjourned for semi driver charged in Humboldt Broncos bus crash

• Court appearance adjourned for semi driver charged in Humboldt Broncos bus crash
• Semi driver charged in Humboldt Broncos bus crash appears in court

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Two previous appearances were adjourned after Sidhu’s lawyer asked for more time to go over the evidence.

Sidhu can opt for the matter to be heard in provincial court going forward, or elect for it to go to a higher court, in which case a preliminary inquiry would be held to determine if there is enough evidence for it to go to trial.

If he elects to go to a higher court, Sidhu can choose whether the matter would be heard by a judge alone, or by a judge and jury.

Dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, while dangerous driving causing bodily harm has a maximum sentence of 10 years.

WATCH BELOW: RCMP explain charges laid against Jaskirat Sidhu

1:38 Humboldt crash: Driver could face upwards of 14 years in prison

• Humboldt crash: Driver could face upwards of 14 years in prison
• RCMP say lengthy investigation necessary before laying charges in Humboldt Broncos crash
• RCMP outline 29 charges against driver of tractor-trailer involved in Humboldt Broncos crash

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Sidhu made his first court appearance on July 10 and was released on $1,000 bail with a number of conditions. He must reside at his Calgary home, follow a curfew, is under a driving ban, and must surrender his passport.

The owner of the Alberta company he was driving for is also facing charges.

Sukhmander Singh of Adesh Deol Trucking faces charges of non-compliance with various federal and provincial safety regulations.

The charges were laid on Oct. 10 after an investigation by Alberta Transportation and include failing to maintain logs for drivers’ hours of service, failing to monitor the compliance of a driver under safety regulations, and having more than one daily log for any day.

Singh is scheduled to be in court on Nov. 9 in Calgary.

— With files from Ryan Kessler and the Canadian Press