A man who fatally struck a university student in a hit-and-run in Halifax last winter, driving at 126 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, has been sentenced to four years in prison. Deepak Sharma, 33, was taken into custody following a joint recommendation by Crown and defense attorneys approved by Judge Christine Driscoll at Halifax provincial court on Monday.
Judge Driscoll emphasized the severity of Sharma’s actions, acknowledging the profound impact on the family and friends of Alexandria Wortman, a 21-year-old Dalhousie student hit at a crosswalk on Jan. 27. Crown prosecutor William Mathers highlighted that Sharma failed to stop after hitting Wortman, continuing to drive with her on his windshield until colliding with a parked vehicle further down the road.
Sharma had been involved in a prior collision where he rear-ended a vehicle on Jubilee Road before fleeing as the other driver tried to exchange insurance details. Mathers expressed the need for a shift in the community’s perspective on driving, emphasizing it as a privilege, not a right.
During the sentencing, Wortman’s loved ones shared the immense pain caused by her loss, describing her as a caring individual who united people. Her family members read emotional victim impact statements, detailing the unbearable and life-altering grief they endure. Sharma, in his statement, expressed remorse for the suffering he caused but could not explain his reckless behavior.
Sharma, who pled guilty to criminal negligence causing death and leaving the scene of an accident, will face a 10-year driving ban post-incarceration. His prior driving offenses, including speeding tickets in New Brunswick and a stunting conviction in Nova Scotia, were considered during the proceedings, alongside his admission of guilt to the reduced charges for a swift resolution and closure for Wortman’s family.
The courtroom was filled with sorrowful sobs as relatives and friends described living a nightmare following the tragic incident. The victim impact statements painted a poignant picture of loss and devastation, with Sharma acknowledging the senseless nature of his actions but struggling to rationalize his dangerous driving decisions.
