Arrested for non-compliance with conditions, the trucker who killed four motorists during a monster pileup in Laval hopes to be released on bail even if the Crown is firmly opposed to it.
• Also read: Four dead in a monster pileup on the 440: the truck driver found guilty of criminal negligence
With his head down and a sheepish look, Jagmeet Grewal was back in court this Friday at the Laval courthouse, in connection with his most recent setbacks which earned him preventive detention.
Grewal, 58, is the driver who was found guilty last February of criminal negligence for a tragedy that occurred in the summer of 2019. At the time, he was behind the wheel of a semi-trailer on the 440 when he drove into a line of vehicles in front of him, without ever braking.
Gilles Marsolais, 54, and his partner Michèle Bernier, 48, had died, as had Sylvain Pouliot, 55, and Robert Tanguay Laplante, 26. It was revealed that Grewal should never have been behind the wheel since he had been declared unfit to be a truck driver, but he was able to obtain a license due to an error by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.
And worse, the trucker was taking several medications, including some that affect driving.
Provisional release
But despite the guilty verdict and even though the Crown had announced that it would request a long period of incarceration, Grewal was able to remain on provisional release while awaiting his sentence.
Except that two weeks ago, he was arrested for breaking his conditions, namely to live at a fixed address and to inform the court of any move. Detained since then, he returned to court this Friday to present a release plan in the hope of being able to return home.
To be released, a defendant must demonstrate that he or she is not a flight risk, that he or she will not pose a danger, and that public confidence in the justice system would not be undermined by such a release.
The hearing was, however, subject to a publication ban, so that it is not possible at this stage to report either the arguments of the defense or those of the Crown.
Judge Diane Mulinda will deliver her decision in two weeks. And whatever the result, Grewal will return to court in the following days for pleadings on the sentence to be imposed on him in the 440 pileup case. Note that he appealed his guilt in this case.
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