Latest news with #KoushalKasiram
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Father speaks out after son critically injured in crash allegedly involving 5-time impaired driver
A Bolton, Ont., father says he is angry and disappointed after his son was critically injured in a Brampton crash allegedly caused by a five-time repeat impaired driver, who has been released on bail. Riz Arshad, father of Gabriel Arshad, 21, said he would like people to reach out to their MPs to demand bail reform. Peel Regional Police said the accused, 58-year-old Koushal Kasiram of Mississauga, was released on bail on the condition that he not drive a motor vehicle. At the time of the crash on July 5, police said, he had five previous impaired driving convictions dating back to 2010 and was on three separate lifetime driving bans. Arshad said he couldn't believe Kasiram was released on bail. He said what happened to his son was terrible enough but when he learned about the bail, he felt it added "insult to injury" because Kasiram most likely shouldn't have been on the road. "I don't understand what the thinking there was. My son's going to be here for probably months, if we're lucky. And this guy was out the next day, enjoying his family, doing what he does every day and potentially putting his little incident behind him. We were very disappointed," he said. "We are very angry that he had this opportunity to potentially do it again. It's very discouraging." "We need to keep these guys in jail and show them that we're serious. This is a serious thing that they are doing. They are taking people's lives in their hands ... The justice system has to realize that by letting this guy out, he's putting other people at risk now." Kasiram has been charged with one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, one count of driving with excess blood alcohol and three counts of prohibited driving. Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, accused people in Canada have the right to bail unless there is a very compelling reason to keep them in custody. Granting them bail means they can remain out of jail, often with specific conditions, while their case moves through the justice system — a process that can take many months. Several provincial governments and police associations have been calling upon the federal government to re-examine and revise the bail system. Advocates have pointed out the vast majority of people in Ontario jails have been denied bail and are awaiting trial. Victim likely to have 'life-altering injuries': police Gabriel has been at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre since the crash. He was driving on Highway 50 between Brampton and Bolton when he was struck. The crash, involving four vehicles, happened at the intersection of Highway 50 and Coleraine Drive around 4:15 p.m. In a news release on July 10, Peel Regional Police said Gabriel is likely to have "long-term life-altering injuries." Two other people were injured. Arshad said he is hoping for the best and his son remains in a coma and has had three surgeries already to fix the damage to his stomach. "But he's still got a bunch of stuff to go. He's got a bunch of broken bones and, unfortunately, some serious head injury that he has to try to get overcome." Arshad said his son, his third child, is a "good kid" with lots of friends and a generous person. He was a volunteer soccer coach and has dreams of being a plumber. "Hopefully, he's going to get to live some of those dreams he had. I hope he gets his second and third chance as well." The family meanwhile is still in shock, said Arshad. He said the first two days were "very, very scary," but Gabriel's condition seems to have slightly improved. He said he and his wife have been by his son's side in the intensive care unit every day. Gabriel has two older sisters and a younger brother. "I strongly feel I'm going to take my son home. You know, it's not going to happen overnight... but I feel like we're going to take him home," he said. 'Some people shouldn't be released,' MADD Canada says Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada, said on Monday the decision to release Kasiram was "quite surprising" to the organization. "The assumption is always that people will get bail because everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but we do know, practically, that some people shouldn't be released," he said. In Canada, it's up to police and prosecutors to make the case against granting bail, although murder and certain other offences have a "reverse onus," meaning the accused has to convince the court to release them. In early 2024, the federal government's amendments to bail provisions under the Criminal Code came into effect, focusing on repeat violent offenders who used weapons. The changes also broadened the reverse onus targeting repeat offenders of intimate partner violence, but did not focus on offenders repeatedly convicted of impaired driving. According to the government's website, however, the changes do "require courts to state on the record for any bail decision that they have considered the safety and security of the community in relation to the alleged offence, thereby increasing accountability to the public." Sullivan said it is a challenge for the criminal justice system to deal with individuals who keep repeating behaviour that puts others at risk. "Sadly, allegedly in this case, we've now seen this person continue his behaviour until he's caused someone else serious harm, again respecting the right to be presumed innocent. This is what you don't want to happen," he said. "I think our system struggles sometimes with those people who you just can't get the message through and how do you deal with that ongoing risk?" Sullivan said he assumes the accused has a drinking problem and hopes he has been offered rehabilitation. He said better solution to a lifetime driving prohibition is the installation of a lifetime ignition interlock device — a screening device that can prevent an engine from starting if it detects a driver has alcohol in their system. It is illegal in Canada for a driver to operate a vehicle if impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent are considered impaired under the Criminal Code and subject to potential charges. For young, novice or commercial drivers, no alcohol can be present in the system while operating a vehicle.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: Ontario court gambles with public safety, grants serial drunk driver bail
As a 21-year-old man fights for his life, the accused is out on bail under a court order not to drive – again Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox Koushal Kasiram, a 58-year-old Mississauga man who has previously been convicted of impaired driving five times, faces impaired driving charges again after a four-vehicle collision at Hwy. 50 and Coleraine Dr., in Brampton, that left another motorist with life-altering injuries on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Photo by Handout / Peel Regional Police Forget three strikes and you're out for serial drunk driver Koushal Kasiram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account This is his sixth strike – allegedly. And, yes, he's out. But not in a good way in that he's out of commission and unable to harm any more people as he's accused of doing to a young man currently in hospital fighting for his life. 'Three individuals involved were transported to local hospitals,' Peel Regional Police said Thursday of last weekend's four-vehicle crash in Brampton. 'A 21-year-old male remains in unstable, critical condition and is anticipated to have long-term life-altering injuries,' police added. But Kasiram, meanwhile, is out on bail – again! Koushal Kasiram, a 58-year-old Mississauga man who has previously been convicted of impaired driving five times, faces impaired driving charges again after a four-vehicle collision at Hwy. 50 and Coleraine Dr., in Brampton, that left another motorist with life-altering injuries on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Photo by Handout / Peel Regional Police Yes, you read that right. And you read in the above sentence that a 21-year-old young man is 'unstable' condition. This is so ugly – so infuriating. Grandmother Tamara Lich spent 49 days in pre-trial custody on mischief charges after the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa and now faces up to 10 years in prison when her sentencing comes down this summer. She didn't hurt anybody. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And while the Ontario justice system throws the book at her, they through a pillow at this guy. RECOMMENDED VIDEO The 58-year-old Mississauga man was charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, driving with excess blood alcohol and three counts of prohibited driving following the massive collision that unfolded at the intersection of Hwy. 50 and Coleraine Dr. around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He has three driving prohibitions. And yet he's not in jail. Deputy Chief Marc Andrews tells me Kasiram is also a 'five-time repeat offender for impaired driving-related convictions' and was 'also on three separate lifetime driving prohibitions at the time of the collision.' What in the name of hell is this? The man is a menace. Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews Photo by Handout / Peel Regional Police 'He was held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton where he was released on a recognizance of bail, with conditions not to drive a motor vehicle,' police said. That must have scared him. He must be laughing his head off at the justice system. This man calls the shots in the Ontario courts. He's the boss. It's like April Fool's day in July. Why would he follow such a directive now when he has just been charged for allegedly not following multiple previous court orders prohibiting him from driving? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But perhaps more importantly, why would a Justice of the Peace let him out on bail at all? Is there a Criminal Code offence for stupidity? You don't have to be a legal expert to know that setting this accused man free is one hell of a gamble. And gambling in such a way with the safety of Ontario residents is a disgrace. 'Serial impaired drivers shouldn't be terrorizing the street and should be in custody for a very a very long time,' Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said. 'People are playing Russian roulette with people's lives.' 'Unfortunately, in Canada right now, this kind of offender only gets a slap on the wrist. Like the tragedy of the Russo family a few years ago, I am so sick of hearing about this kind if senseless crime,' he added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Brown said the problem falls more on to the Criminal Code than on those on the bench interpreting the laws, but he believes it's getting to a point where the 'notwithstanding clause may have to be used to ensure there are serious consequences for serious crimes.' Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown looks on during the Diwali Mela festival at Sesquicentennial Park in Brampton, Ont., Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Lahodynskyj Whatever government's do or don't do, it's too late for this young victim clinging to life and the others wounded in this case. How Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford don't drop whatever they are doing today to fix this abomination is beyond me. There is no excuse good enough to explain why this man is free. This is potentially one of the most dangerous people in Ontario right now – and so is whoever let him out. jwarmington@ Celebrity Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Canada
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
‘Watch him like a hawk': Repeat drunk driver charged in Brampton crash that critically injured 21-year-old
A five-time repeat offender with three lifetime driving bans is facing impaired driving charges after a Brampton crash left one in critical condition. A five-time convicted impaired driver is once again facing charges after a violent four-vehicle crash in Brampton left a 21-year-old man in critical condition with life-altering injuries. Peel police say the suspect was driving a white commercial vehicle when it collided with several others at Highway 50 and Coleraine Drive on July 5. Prior to the crash, police say that multiple drivers called 911 to report the vehicle swerving erratically. The suspect, who has three lifetime driving bans, was allegedly behind the wheel again despite past convictions and prohibitions stretching back nearly three decades when he was first charged in 1996, officials told CP24 Thursday afternoon. 'It begs the question that I'm sure we're all asking,' said Const. Tyler Bell-Morena. 'Is it going to take someone being killed before this man is put away? And I can't fault anyone for asking that question.' What happened on July 5? Three people were taken to hospital following the afternoon collision. One of them, a 21-year-old man, remains in unstable critical condition and is expected to suffer 'long-term, life-altering injuries,' according to police. In a news release, police announced that a suspect, identified as 58-year-old Koushal Kasiram, of Mississauga, has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, driving with excess blood alcohol, and three counts of driving while prohibited. Koushal Kasiram 58-year-old Koushal Kasiram, of Mississauga, has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, driving with excess blood alcohol, and three counts of driving while prohibited (PRP photo). None of the charges have been tested in court but he was held for a bail hearing and subsequently released on a recognizance, with conditions not to drive a motor-vehicle, police said. 'This man was released again on conditions not to drive, and maybe he'll meet it this time,' Bell-Morena said. 'It's a little bit concerning.' Kasiram's most recent driving conviction was in 2015, Bell-Morena added. 'Watch him like a hawk,' police warn public Police are asking anyone with information about the collision, or those with dash camera footage, to contact the Major Collision Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3710. 'Our thoughts are with the family of those injured in this horrific crash. We are committed to holding dangerous drivers, such as Mr. Kasiram, accountable for their actions,' Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said in a written statement. Meanwhile, Bell-Morena urged the public to keep their eyes peeled. 'If you know who this individual is,' he said, 'watch him like a hawk and pick up the phone and call us if you see him behind the wheel again.'
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Five-time convicted impaired driver charged again after four-car crash in Brampton
Five-time convicted impaired driver Koushal Kasiram, 58, of Mississauga faces two impaired driving-related charges and three of prohibited driving after a four-car crash in Brampton on July 5 sent three people to hospital. Photo by Peel Regional Police A five-time repeat offender for impaired driving-related convictions is facing yet more impaired charges following a four-vehicle collision in Brampton over the weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Peel Regional Police say on Satuday around 4:15 p.m., a four-car crash happened at the intersection of Highway 50 and Coleraine Dr. and three people were taken to hospital. Cops say a 21-year-old male remains in unstable, critical condition and is anticipated to have long-term life-altering injuries. This July 5 four-car crash in Brampton has led to 5 charges against a five-time convicted impaired driver Koushal Kasiram, 58, of Mississauga. (Peel Regional Police) Photo by Peel Regional Police Koushal Kasiram, 58, of Mississauga, was charged with three counts of prohibited driving, and one count each of impaired driving causing bodily harm and driving with excess blood alcohol. He was was released on a recognizance of bail, with conditions not to drive a motor vehicle. Kasiram was also on three separate lifetime driving prohibitions at the time of the collision. 'Our thoughts are with the family of those injured in this horrific crash,' said Peel Regional Police's Deputy Chief Marc Andrews in a statement 'We are committed to holding dangerous drivers, such as Mr. Kasiram, accountable for their actions. Repeat offenders must face consequences sufficient to stop them from continuing to offend, and we are working to ensure that happens.' Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dash camera footage to call investigators with the Major Collision Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3710. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting NHL Toronto Blue Jays NHL Celebrity Golf
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Police say five-time repeat offender for impaired driving charged in Brampton crash that left 21-year-old critically injured
A police cruiser on the scene of a multi-vehicle collision in Brampton on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Peel police say a man with multiple impaired-driving related convictions is once again facing charges after a four-vehicle collision in Brampton that left a 21-year-old critically injured. Police said four vehicles collided at the intersection of Highway 50 and Coleraine Drive in Brampton on the afternoon of July 5. Three people were transported to hospital for treatment, including a 21-year-old man who police say remains in unstable, critical condition and is expected to have 'long-term, life-altering injuries.' In a news release issued Thursday, police confirmed that a driver has now been arrested and charged in connection with the crash. Mississauga man Koushal Kasiram, 58, has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, driving with excess blood alcohol, and three counts of driving while prohibited. He was held for a bail hearing and subsequently released on a recognizance, with conditions not to drive a motor-vehicle, police said. The charges have not been tested in court. 'Koushal Kasiram is a five-time repeat offender for impaired driving-related convictions. He was also on three separate lifetime driving prohibitions at the time of the collision,' police said in the news release. Police are asking anyone with information about the collision, or those with dash camera footage, to contact the Major Collision Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3710. 'Our thoughts are with the family of those injured in this horrific crash. We are committed to holding dangerous drivers, such as Mr. Kasiram, accountable for their actions,' Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said in a written statement. 'Repeat offenders must face consequences sufficient to stop them from continuing to offend, and we are working to ensure that happens.'
