Nitan Thakur Gets 8 Years in Sentence for Fatal Crash, Mother of Victim in Tears

In an emotional courtroom scene, Avril Higginson delivered a poignant victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing for Nitan Thakur, the drunk driver responsible for the death of her son, Gregory Girgis, nearly two years ago.

“He was just 26 years old and was killed for selfish reasons,” Higginson tearfully stated. “What you have done is unconscionable. You have taken away my son. You are completely irresponsible. You are one sad human being who has destroyed so many people.” Thakur, the offender, sat with his head bowed, occasionally wiping away tears.

The tragic incident occurred at 11:40 p.m. on July 1, 2022. Thakur was intoxicated and speeding down Wellington Street toward University Avenue in a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ignoring a red light, he sped through the intersection, resulting in a catastrophic collision.

As detailed in an agreed statement of facts, Thakur’s Jeep collided with two northbound Uber vehicles—a Honda CRV and a Toyota Corolla—at the intersection. The impact caused the Honda to spin and strike 32-year-old pedestrian Carlos Bastarrachea-Gallardo, severely injuring him. Simultaneously, Thakur’s Jeep careened into a cement structure, fatally crushing Girgis, who was walking home from his job at Jack Astor’s restaurant.

Eyewitnesses confirmed Thakur as the driver and reported seeing a beer can discarded from the Jeep post-collision. Police recovered a silver tall can of beer at the scene. Upon questioning, Thakur admitted to driving the Jeep and consuming a few drinks, stating, “The light turned red. I wasn’t able to stop, and I hit a vehicle.” Officers noted Thakur’s dazed demeanor and the strong odor of alcohol, leading to his arrest for impaired driving causing death. A breathalyzer test taken two hours after the crash revealed Thakur’s blood alcohol level to be twice the legal limit.

The Jeep’s black box data showed Thakur was accelerating at 99 km/hr five seconds before the crash and reached 129 km/hr two seconds prior to impact, only then releasing the gas pedal.

In December, Thakur pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and five counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm. The collision resulted in multiple injuries, including the amputation of one Uber driver’s leg below the knee, and injuries to other Uber passengers and Thakur’s front-seat passenger.

At the time of the crash, Thakur faced outstanding charges for speeding and stunt driving under the Highway Traffic Act.

Assistant Crown attorney Andrew Gibbons recommended an 11-year sentence for impaired driving causing death and six years for each count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, to be served concurrently. Gibbons also proposed a 15-year driving ban following Thakur’s release, emphasizing the increasing severity of sentences for impaired driving.

Defense lawyer Abhinav Dang suggested a lighter sentence of four to six years, followed by three years probation and a 10-year driving ban.

Expressing remorse, Thakur told the court, “My actions have caused irreparable harm and I’m deeply sorry.” The final sentencing by Superior Court Justice Susan Himel is expected in June.