Father of an Indo-Canadian taxi driver, who was killed in 2019 by a driver of a car2go after he ran a red light, wants criminal charges approved by Crown after more than two years after the tragedy. Twenty-eight-year-old Sanehpal Randhawa was killed when another driver crashed into his cab in Vancouver. Sanhepal was killed by a driver who police say sped through a red light at 3:30 a.m. The Vancouver Police Department recommended six charges, saying speed and alcohol were likely factors.
VANCOUVER – Father of an Indo-Canadian taxi driver killed in 2019 by a driver of a car2go after he ran a red light wants criminal charges approved by Crown after more than two years after the tragedy.
Twenty-eight-year-old Sanehpal Randhawa was killed when another driver crashed into his cab in Vancouver.
Sanhepal was killed by a driver who police say sped through a red light at 3:30 a.m. The Vancouver Police Department recommended six charges, saying speed and alcohol were likely factors.
When they concluded their investigation in March of 2019, they said it was unlikely the accused would face the charges because he was seriously injured, and had left Canada.
“This is an incredibly sad and tragic case for the affected families, the community and our investigators,” said Const. Tania Visintin at the time.
“It is difficult to accept that the suspect cannot be held accountable at this time due to his medical state. However, in recommending charges, we are hoping there will be some sense of closure for the family and friends of the victim. However, investigators will monitor his medical condition and will evaluate next steps if his condition improves to a point where he is able to participate in the court process.”
Sanhepal’s father Bahadur said that closure has not come. Speaking in Punjabi, he told OMNI News why it is so important to him to see the case move forward.
“My issue is they should do a trial. I won’t have peace until then. Even if they give him a shorter sentence, it’s better than nothing,” he said.
“They keep saying they’re investigating. But I haven’t heard anything about what is happening. I think about it all day, all night. It’s been 25 months. Everything has been delayed over and over. I’m broken. Justice has been delayed so long, maybe I won’t be alive to see it come to fruition.”
Bahadur is in Canada on a visitor visa, and wants people to remember his son’s case.
“The Canadian government says this was an accident. I say it was murder.”
Sanehpal’s friend Rimple, speaking in English on behalf of those mourning him, says the lack of answers has left those who loved him heartbroken.
“The feelings cannot be explained and we cannot put it into words. The loss we have had will never be recovered. But at least we want the offender to get punished,” she said Thursday.
“There is no other way we can get justice. We want that offender to be back in Canada,”
The BC Prosecution Service has told OMNI News the charges have not been approved, and the file is still under assessment.
