Jagmeet Grewal and the Fatal Accident on Highway 440: Is 10 Years in Prison Enough? Gilles, Michèle, Sylvain, Robert—four names that resonate as poignant reminders of lives lost, families shattered, and enduring pain following the tragic 2019 Highway 440 accident.
These innocent victims, from diverse walks of life, shared one commonality: being cherished and valued by their loved ones. In Laval, their families gathered to honor their memory as the Crown requested a ten-year prison sentence for Jagmeet Grewal, the truck driver found responsible for the tragedy.
Last Thursday, emotions ran high at the Laval courthouse, where heartrending testimonies laid bare the extent of the losses endured by the victims’ families. On the stand, the grief was palpable, while Jagmeet Grewal, impassive, listened in silence. The 58-year-old was convicted earlier this year of criminal negligence causing death, following an accident where his truck plowed into a line of stopped vehicles without any attempt to brake, triggering a large-scale tragedy.
The Circumstances of the Accident
On August 5, 2019, traffic flowed normally on Highway 440. Road conditions were clear, and drivers, halted in congestion, could not foresee the disaster about to unfold. Jagmeet Grewal, approaching at high speed, showed no reaction, letting his truck crash into the vehicles ahead without slowing down. The impact caused fires, massive destruction, and, most tragically, loss of life.
It later emerged that Jagmeet Grewal should never have been behind the wheel that day. Previously deemed unfit to operate heavy vehicles, he suffered from physical limitations and psychological issues with a history of serious medical conditions. On the day of the accident, he was driving despite an unstable health condition, failing to take his prescribed essential medication, and was incapable of managing such a large vehicle safely.
A Call for a Severe Sentence
For Crown prosecutor Me Simon Blais, this case demands a strong response from the justice system. He argued for a ten-year prison sentence, which he deemed appropriate given the severity of the circumstances and numerous aggravating factors. The proposed sentence, he contended, would serve as a warning to Canadian truck drivers and underscore the transportation industry’s responsibility to protect all road users.
Shared Responsibilities?
During the trial, questions arose about the accountability of the SAAQ (Quebec’s automobile insurance board). Despite a troubling medical history and a prior accident in the U.S. in 2012, Jagmeet Grewal had been granted a Class 1 driver’s license. This error by the SAAQ sparked debates on Quebec’s procedures for assessing professional drivers—a sensitive topic within the industry.
As the final decision looms, two critical questions remain: Will the SAAQ be held accountable for its error, or will it escape scrutiny despite a failure that cost four lives? Can government bodies continue issuing licenses to individuals who pose a public safety risk without consequences? Finally, will the proposed ten-year sentence bring a semblance of justice to the victims’ families and prevent similar errors within the trucking industry?
This verdict could mark a turning point in how driver and authority accountability is addressed in Canada’s road safety landscape.
