Harvinder Toor found not guilty of crash that claimed the life of Kaarlo Siirila three years ago

Photo: Randy Millis

Scene from early morning June 14, 2019.

Harvinder Singh Toor has been acquitted of all charges in connection with a crash that left one man dead and another with lifelong injuries.

Toor was found not guilty in BC Provincial Court Tuesday of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm after the semi he was driving rammed into the back of an SUV stopped at a red light at the intersection of Highway 97 and Bartley Road in June 2019.

The force of the collision killed Kaarlo Siirila, who was behind the wheel of the SUV, and seriously injured his passenger, Gilles Laferriere, who still walks with a cane and suffers from other health issues.

During his summation, the judge in the case said there was no dispute Toor fell asleep at the wheel moments before the crash. He was travelling between 91 km/hr and 96 km/hr when making impact and he did not apply his brakes until the moment of the collision.

However, despite the fact Toor's action led to Siirila's death, the judge was not able to agree with the Crown's theory he knew he we was getting sleepy and at risk of falling asleep.

"I have found there is no reliable evidence to show that Mr. Toor was aware he was falling asleep," the judge noted in his ruling.

"Having found Mr. Toor fell asleep at the wheel moments before the collision, and that there is no evidence he continued to drive when he was aware of the risk of him falling asleep, I find the Crown has not proven (his guilt) beyond a reasonable doubt.

"The events of June 14, 2019 are tragic. Mr. Siirila lost his life and Mr. Laferriere was badly injured. There is no question that Mr. Toor was the driver responsible for the collision, however the evidence does not establish his fault to the degree that allows me to find him guilty.

"I therefore acquit Mr. Toor of the charges."