An Indian-origin truck driver has admitted causing a fatal accident in Canada when he was playing a mobile phone game behind the wheel. The deadly pileup killed two people.Baljit Singh, 29, is an Ontario resident who pleaded guilty in Longueuil court to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm over a fatal collision on Highway 30 in Brossard, near Montreal, on July 19, 2022.Singh was driving a 53-foot tractor-trailer when he failed to slow down as he approached heavy traffic near a construction zone, resulting in a multi-vehicle collision. Singh used his mobile phone 18 times in the hour before the incident and was playing an online game at the time.The crash killed 42-year-old Nancy LeFrançois and her 11-year-old son, Loic Chevalier, who were in a passenger car that collided during the collision.
A number of others were seriously injured, suffering from fractures, head trauma, and internal bleeding.A report revealed that Singh had only 0.35 seconds to react before the collision, and said the accident could have been avoided if he had been paying attention to the road instead of his mobile phone.Dashcam footage and evidence also showed frequent distractions, including weaving lanes, traffic violations, and not taking required rest breaks.
After initially speaking to police, Singh later left Canada and traveled to India. He was arrested overseas in 2025 and returned to Canada to face charges. He has apologized in court papers and is now in custody. He will be sentenced in June. Dangerous driving causing death can result in life imprisonment in Canada.