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Family of Crash Victim Sues Both Drivers
February 13, 2010
By Dan Ferguson
The statement of claim names the
teenage driver of a Chevy Malibu
who gave a ride to 15-year old
Surrey resident Sanjeeve Sharma
on June 29, 2009.
It also names the driver of a BMW
SUV involved in the collision that
caused Sharma's death and
accuses them both of driving
contrary to the restrictions on their
licences.
The court document was filed in
the Vancouver B.C. Supreme Court
registry by a lawyer for Sharma's
father Sanjay.
According to the statement of
claim, the Malibu hit a traffic island
near the intersection of 128 Street
and 82 Avenue, then sideswiped
the BMW before it collided with a
lamp standard.
It accuses both drivers of
speeding, failing to use adequate
lights, brakes or the car horns,
driving without due care, failing to
obey traffic controls, failing to heed
weather conditions and driving contrary to restrictions on their drivers licences.
The lawsuit also names the owners of the two vehicles who were not at the wheel when the crash
occurred.
It says the owners failed to maintain the vehicles in proper mechanical condition.
The statement of claim filed under the Family Compensation Act contains allegations that have
not been proven in court.
The Leader has chosen not to name the defendants.
The case is still under investigation by police, who have yet to make arrests, but the Sharma
family has been told criminal charges are likely.
Since his son died, Sanjay Sharma has become an outspoken campaigner for tougher regulation
of new drivers.
He wants better enforcement of driving rules that require new drivers to have an adult supervisor
sitting beside them who is at least 25 years old and has a valid driver’s licence.
Those regulations would have applied to the then-16-year-old who was driving the Malibu
Sanjeeve was riding in.
dferguson@surreyleader.com
© Copyright 2010 Surrey North Delta Leader
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