 David Virgoe's widow, Deb Virgoe, and his daughter, Bobbi Bigl, leave court Wednesday, December 2, 2009, after tearfully telling the judge they lost a husband, father and hero. (Sun Media/Tracy McLaughlin)
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BARRIE, Ont. -- A GTA man convicted of street racing and causing the death of a truck driver begged a judge for mercy yesterday, so that he won't be deported to India.
"Please, I am asking for a lesser sentence so that I can go to school here," said Ravi Badhwar, 23, as he stood in the prisoner's box in handcuffs.
Last October following a lengthy trial, Badwhar was taken into custody after a jury found him guilty of criminal negligence causing death by street racing and failing to remain at the scene of the fatal accident on Hwy. 400 that took the life of trucker David Virgoe, 48, on June 18, 2007.
ZIGZAGGED
The jury heard how Badhwar and two of his friends zigzagged through heavy traffic at speeds reaching 200 km/h, as they laughed and gestured toward each other in a deadly game.
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One of their vehicles struck Virgoe's truck, causing him to swerve and crash into a ditch.
The two other drivers, Nauman Nusrat, 21, and Prab Multani, 22, both of Etobicoke, pled guilty and received 30-month sentences.
Nusrat, who posted a photo of himself on the Internet with the title "cut king" received a lifetime driving prohibition, while Multani received a 10-year ban.
To the end, Badhwar insisted he was innocent, and only sped to try to keep up with his two friends, but the Crown -- and the jury -- disagreed.
"It's just good fortune that Mr. Badhwar's car didn't strike another vehicle," said Crown attorney Karen McCleave, who wants a stiff sentence in a penitentiary.
"Sheer luck ... he is as liable as the other two with respect to the death of Mr. Virgoe."
Click here for images from the horrific crash
If Badhwar gets a sentence of over two years, he will be deported under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
He came to Canada on a student visa and graduated with a business/marketing diploma from Humber College and now wants to continue on to university.
"I came to Canada for a better life for myself and my family," said Badhwar in his plea to the judge.
"I am a law-abiding citizen who would never intentionally hurt anyone."
Then turning to Virgoe's family, who sat at the front of the court, he added, "I am truly sorry for the loss of your dad and your husband. I will think of this incident forever."
His words brought no comfort to the family.
"My dad, my hero, is gone," said Virgoe's daughter, Bobbi Bigle, in her victim impact statement.
Then turning to Badhwar in the prisoner's box, she told him, "You could have stopped it, but instead you decided to continue for your own cheap thrills ... I ask you now, was it worth it?
Justice Bruce Glass will sentence Badhwar this morning.
Click here to read about how the suspects bragged about street racing
