Widow forgives semi-truck driver after husband dies in crash

A semi-truck driver who rear-ended a Steinbach man’s truck which sent it flipping through the air and killing the 81-year old driver, was sentenced in a Steinbach court where the victim’s widow forgave him.

Kapil Kumar, 45, was charged with careless driving for the Aug. 8, 2023, death.

“I miss my husband very much,” said Eva Janz. “But I know I will see him again.”

Eva brought a big picture of her husband of 51 years to the courtroom.

“I have it on my heart to say I have forgiven Mr. Kumar, and I have no ill or negative feelings towards him whatsoever. I have found peace and comfort and closure with my God. I wish Mr. Kumar all the very best for the future,” said Eva.

Dietmar Janz, 81, was driving on Highway 52 and was about to turn when a semi-truck hit his pickup truck at around 2:08 p.m.

Dietmar’s truck had “catastrophic damage” and the semi-truck had “significant front-end damage,” court heard.

A witness who used to be in the military said he saw “dust and smoke” and an explosion after the “severely beat up” vehicle flipped two to three times in the air until it rolled in the ditch. It appeared to the witness that Dietmar’s back and neck was broken in several places.

More witnesses joined the scene including an off-duty nurse and paramedic who tried to take Dietmar out of the vehicle because there was fuel and gas leaking. They said there was “lots of blood.”

The witness who used to be in the military checked on Kumar and said he appeared to be in a state of shock, court heard.

Court heard that a traffic analyst said the cause of the crash was driver distraction. Kumar was not intoxicated or texting while driving. The truck only started to brake once it hit the vehicle as there were no skid marks before the collision area.

Crown attorney Caitlin Hentig said each driver on the road has a great responsibility to other drivers, especially commercial truck drivers who are on the road every day and every night as part of their employment.

Hentig suggested a $3,500 fine and an 18-month license suspension.

Defence lawyer Jessie Brar said Kumar is no longer driving a truck, and is currently working for Uber and DoorDash.

“I pray for you and your family everyday,” said Kapil Kumar to Eva in court. “From the bottom of my heart I apologize.”

He said he felt very scared, and his family has seen hardship but not compared to Eva’s and her family.

“It’s so sad that this happened,” said Provincial Court Judge Robert Heinrichs.

Judge Heinrichs sentenced Kumar with a $2,500 fine and one year license suspension.

Eva reached out to Kumar for a handshake after the sentence.