A Mississauga MiWay bus driver has been acquitted of dangerous driving causing death in a 2023 collision that killed motorist Sharron Williams. Superior Court Justice David E. Harris found reasonable doubt, citing possible brake failure and a flawed investigation.
Crash Details
On June 9, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., 50-year-old Williams, a mother and youth social worker, was stopped at a red light on Derry Road in Mississauga when a MiWay bus slammed into her vehicle from behind. The chain-reaction crash sent nine people to hospital; Williams was pronounced dead shortly after. Video showed passengers being tossed around the bus like rag dolls, according to Justice Harris.
Judge's Ruling
In his ruling delivered Friday in a Brampton courtroom, Justice Harris stated: “There was no forewarning and nothing she could have done to avoid it. It was a cruel bolt from the blue.” The bus did not stop or slow down, ploughing at full speed into Williams’ vehicle. The judge noted the total absence of braking for six to seven seconds after impact—an eternity in driving terms—calling it a perplexing case that calls out for an explanation.
The Crown argued driver Baljeet Dhaliwal was distracted and on her phone, but Justice Harris noted that phone use occurred well before the collision. Video from inside the bus showed her attentive with hands on the wheel moments before the crash.
Brake Failure Theory
Justice Harris found the possibility of brake failure more likely, but it could not be confirmed due to a botched inspection. The bus was not towed for inspection until three weeks after the crash. During the tow, the front brakes locked up and caught fire, destroying the entire brake system. The subsequent inspection, conducted without police supervision, was deemed substantially inadequate and superficial. In March 2025, the bus was destroyed with no explanation, preventing any further analysis.
“Taking all the evidence together, the mystery of what caused this accident has not been solved. Brake failure remains a viable possibility,” Justice Harris concluded. “The Crown has failed to convincingly remove brake malfunction as the cause of the collision. There is a reasonable doubt that Ms. Dhaliwal was responsible for the collision. For these reasons, the accused Ms. Dhaliwal must be found not guilty.”
