The truck driver charged in the death of a 52-year-old grandmother killed after his vehicle collided with a TTC bus in 2013,has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Forty-three-year-old Vincente Arbis was found guilty by a jury in december 2016 of criminal negligence causing death in the accident at middlefield road and steeles in scarborough. In all Arbis was found guilty on 6 charges.
Manoranjana Kanagasabapathy, who was boarding the bus at the time of the crash heading to her local temple when she was struck by the delivery truck. She died at the scene.
The family of Kanagasabapathy told the court Monday that she was the matriarch of the family who was always willing to help relatives adjust to new life in Canada.
“We have lost our sister and our lifeline,” her younger brother told the court. “Nobody can bring her back to life.”
“Our grief returns whenever we come across a TTC bus,” her brother said.
A statement read on behalf of her devastated husband reiterated that sentiment, saying he “dreads travelling by the TTC.”
The court had heard evidence that Arbis was driving the wrong way at a high rate of speed while using a cellphone that morning. At some point, his truck crossed the centre median and slammed into the sitting TTC bus.
During today’s proceedings, the Crown reminded the judge that Arbis is a first time offender but that his punishment shouldn’t reflect on him as a person but rather for his bad conduct as a driver.
Arbis has also received a driving ban of 10 years.
With files from CP24