Sentencing underway for driver who pleaded guilty in fatal Burnaby hit-and-run
Family and friends of Charles Masala, the 53-year-old who was struck and killed by an SUV while cycling up Burnaby Mountain two years ago, faced the accused Tuesday as his sentencing hearing got underway.
Sumeet Mangat, 24, pleaded guilty in October to impaired operation of conveyance causing death and failure to stop after an accident resulting in death.
Under the Criminal Code, each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Masala was an engineer with two master's degrees who moved to Canada from Zambia in 1991.
“He was one person that just uplifted everyone,” said Grace Mchaina, one of Masala’s sisters. “He wanted the best for everyone.”
“It just breaks my heart,” said Nellie Masala, who had travelled from the U.K. to make a statement at the hearing.
“Something should have been done before this happened.”
According to the victim's family, he was headed out for his regular weekend bike ride in June 2019 when he was struck and killed.
His widow, Michelle, told CTV News on Tuesday that she and the couple’s two young children still have not figured out how to live without him.
“He lost the right to change the world and that’s what he was planning on doing,” shesaid.
In a statement to the court, the accused told the Masala family he was remorseful, and wished he could undo the damage that he’d done.
“There are no words in this statement that can capture the remorse, the sorrow, and how sorry I feel,” Mangat told court.
Crown is asking for a three to four year sentence, while defence told the judge any jail sentence would act as a deterrent, no matter the length.
“We really hope that there is some kind of justice served,” said Chisomo Mchaina, the victim's niece.
She added: “Ultimately we would want our uncle back and that’s just not going to happen unfortunately.”
Michelle Masala said she doesn’t see an opportunity for justice, but instead, a call for change, highlighting the precedent in Canada of what she called low sentences for impaired drivers who took another life.
“How can we just do something so that the path my family has walked is easier for the next family (who loses someone to an impaired driver), because there will be a next family,” she asked.
Mangat’s next court appearance is scheduled for early January.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.