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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.