Emotions were high in the Brampton courthouse today as victim impact statements were read by family and friends of Jagrajan ‘Jag’ Brar, the 19-year-old who was killed in a car crash by repeat drunk driver Peter Simms, 46.
Brar’s parents, sister and cousins were just some of the 15 people to give statements during proceedings. Rupinder Sandhu described her son as a naturally loving and nurturing person.
“Jag’s personality was greater than life,” Sandhu said.
“Everyone who knew him, loved him. He gave the tightest hugs, they were bone crushing. When he laughed, you couldn’t help but laugh with him. He made me a better person”
Sraia Brar, 14, wore her brother’s gold chain while speaking about the bond she shared with her only sibling and the traumatic moments after her family told her about his death.
Brar’s girlfriend Victoria Medeiros directed her statement towards Simms, who attended the hearing virtually from the Maplehurst jail in Milton.
“If I had any control of that night, I would chose that it would be you instead of Jag,” Mederios said.
Rob Brar lost his 19-year-old son Jag in an alleged drunk driving crash last month, and is hoping today's rally for harsher penalties against impaired driving charges will stop repeat offenders from getting behind the wheel.#Justice4Jag pic.twitter.com/eibbDLodVW
— OMNI Punjabi (@OMNIpunjabi) November 18, 2020
Since loosing his son last year, Rob Brar has become a vocal supporter of maximum mandatory sentencing for convicted impaired and dangerous drivers in Canada.
“What makes this tragedy all the more unbearable is knowing that his death was preventable,” Brar said, adding he could never truly forgive Simms for being responsible for his son’s death.
The facts show Simms driving at an estimated 140km/h on a stretch of road with a posted speed limit of 50km/h. He pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm on March 26th.
Jillian McLeod is a vocal advocate for victims of impaired drivers and has been supporting the Brar family since Jag’s death last October. She tells OMNI News today’s hearing was especially difficult to listen to.
“It was absolutely gut wrenching to listen to both Sraia and Rob read their victim impact statements,” McLeod said.
“I mean, I never realized how fully involved I was until now as I was emotionally and mentally. Listening to the heartbreak and the anguish they’re going through just made me want to cry.“
McLeod has also been vocal at demonstrations supporting Karolina Ciasullo, 37, and her three young daughters who were killed by alleged drunk driver Brady Robertson in Brampton last June.
Family, friends and advocates are rallying outside of a #Brampton courthouse while sentencing continues for the alleged drunk driver accused of killing 19-year-old Jagrajan ‘Jag’ Brar. pic.twitter.com/67vI2JdUPt
— OMNI Television (@OMNITelevision) November 6, 2020
Ahead of Robertson’s trial on July 12, McLeod and other advocates are pushing for a minimum sentencing of 15 years for Simms in the hopes his case sets a precedent for fatal drunk driving incidents involving repeat offenders in the future.
“I want this case to be a precedent for that case as well,” McLeod said.
“We make an example made out of Peter Simms so that other cases can start having the precedent to fight for their own justice.“
Simms’ hearing is set to continue next month with a ruling expected to come come down June 14th.
Read more about growing calls for maximum mandatory sentencing for convicted impaired or dangerous drivers in Canada.
