Family of former Olympic skater killed in crash speaks in court ahead of sentencing

ORANGEVILLE, ONT. — The family of a former Canadian Olympic figure skater killed in a 2023 car crash gave emotional victim impact statements in an Ontario court today, as a judge prepares to sentence the man who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges.

Sukhwinder Sidhu pleaded guilty in February to dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm in the crash that killed Alexandra Paul and injured her infant son in Melancthon Township, Ont.

An agreed statement of facts read in court says a truck was driving at a high rate of speed when it entered a construction zone and crashed into stopped cars, with seven vehicles involved in the collision.

Paul, who was 31 at the time of the crash, competed as an ice dancer with her partner and eventual husband, Mitchell Islam, had claimed three Canadian Championship medals and competed at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games before retiring in 2016.