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'The worst has already happened': son

Son of man killed by car at Victoria International Airport holds no hostility toward woman accused
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Ramesh Sharma

"The worst has already happened" and hostility will not bring his father back, says the son of a man who died after a crash at Victoria International Airport last summer.

"Our lives have been flipped upside down. We’re kind of dealing with everything one day at a time," said Sanjeev Sharma.

On July 29, witnesses described a white sedan that sped over a curb from the short-term parking lot, across the airport entry road, over a raised grassy area where it struck a picnic table full of people and a cab before hitting another small structure and stopping at the airport security building. Ramesh Sharma of Saanich was killed and seven others injured.

An elderly woman is charged with driving without due care and attention in the crash that killed the father of three. The Motor Vehicle Act charge has a maximum penalty of a $2,000 fine plus six months in jail. The minimum is a $100 fine.

"Me and my family are still in shock. We still don't know how to feel," Sanjeev said. "We don't have any hostility towards the lady. However it’s going to work out, we hope it works out the best for everybody. The worst has already happened."

Shirley Murray Zerbin, 82, is scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 26.

"We are still just waiting and see what happens now," said Sushil Hira, president of Yellow Cab Victoria. "Whatever happens it's not going to bring Ramesh back now. We lost a friend we lost a family member."

Sharma's widow Charan and adult children are still reeling in the aftermath, his son said.

"He's the best person I know. He did everything for his family, everything so we could have a better life. He always put us before himself and made sure that we were happy," Sanjeev said.

Sharma had worked at Yellow Cab for 25 years.

"He was always a happy person," added Hira. "He was one of those people who always talked about his kids."

 

Cabbies remember tragic crash

Each day yellow cars line the lanes awaiting passengers seeking a taxi at the airport. Some drivers were there July 29, 2011 when a car plowed through a group of their coworkers, and friends.

"We're very close to each other … it's sort of like a family," said Sushil Hira, president of Yellow Cab Victoria. He wasn't there that day, but his brother was. "It's still in the mind of everyone. All those memories flash at you every time you go there."