A Yukon Territorial Court judge has imposed a two-month conditional sentence of house arrest on a 23-year-old Whitehorse taxi driver who was driving the wrong way on the Alaska Highway when his vehicle struck an oncoming minivan last September, killing the minivan’s driver.
Sentence follows guilty plea to careless driving
On Aug. 24, Judge David Christie sentenced Amanpreet Singh Brar after the driver pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving, an offence under the Yukon’s Motor Vehicles Act. Crown and defence counsel jointly recommended the conditional sentence.
The sentence requires Singh Brar to remain under house arrest for two months, though it includes specific exceptions allowing him to leave home for work and medical appointments. He is also prohibited from driving during the term.
How the crash unfolded
Police laid the charge after a collision on the Alaska Highway on the night of Sept. 28, 2025. According to an agreed statement of facts presented in court, Singh Brar crossed a double-solid centre line to pick up a passenger in the Crestview subdivision at around 10:30 p.m. He then continued driving in the wrong lane.
"He continued to drive in the wrong lane for around 10 seconds after the pick-up."
During that period, the taxi collided with a minivan that was travelling in the correct lane. The minivan’s driver, 64-year-old Beaver Creek resident Richard "Ricky" John, and his dog, Bubbles, died in the crash. Both Singh Brar and his passenger were injured and required hospital treatment. A forensic analysis indicated neither vehicle braked or swerved before impact.
Community and public-safety context
The collision occurred on a stretch of the Alaska Highway used by local residents and travellers alike, raising questions about roadside pick-ups, driver conduct and visibility at night on Yukon highways. The loss of Richard John, identified in court as a traditional knowledge keeper for White River First Nation, resonated beyond the immediate communities affected.
Taxi operation practices and road-safety protocols — including the hazards of crossing double-solid lines and stopping on highway shoulders — are matters of local concern. While sentencing resolves the criminal charge, it does not address civil or regulatory follow-up, which may involve the parties or transport authorities if further action is pursued.
- Offender: Amanpreet Singh Brar, 23, Whitehorse taxi driver
- Charge: Careless driving under the Motor Vehicles Act
- Sentence: Two months conditional (house arrest), with leave for work and medical appointments; driving prohibition
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 28, 2025 | Taxi crosses double-solid line; collides with oncoming minivan at ~10:30 p.m.; driver Richard "Ricky" John and dog killed |
| Aug. 24, 2026 | Sentencing in Yukon Territorial Court: two months house arrest following guilty plea |
Legal and community implications
Careless driving charges under the Motor Vehicles Act can carry a range of penalties, from fines to custodial sentences, depending on circumstances and whether a guilty plea is entered. In this case, both Crown and defence agreed the conditional sentence was appropriate. The sentencing highlights how the territorial justice system balances accountability with mitigation factors when recommending outcomes to the court.
For residents of Whitehorse and surrounding communities, the case is a reminder of the risks associated with stopping on highways and crossing prohibited markings. It may also prompt renewed attention to taxi industry training and safety rules for roadside pickups, particularly on high-speed corridors such as the Alaska Highway.
As the family and community process the loss of Richard John, there may be further developments if civil claims or regulatory reviews are initiated. For now, the court’s decision closes the criminal matter with a conditional sentence and a driving ban for the period specified.
