TTC Employee Faces Trial for Hit-and-Run, Impaired Driving

URGENT UPDATE: The trial of TTC employee Arjun Sahota is underway, facing serious charges related to a hit-and-run incident that left victim Rahim Allani with life-altering injuries. The courtroom drama unfolded at the Superior Courthouse, where Allani, limping and using a cane, recounts the harrowing events of that fateful night on October 20, 2022.

According to the Crown prosecutor, Chris Ponesse, at approximately 10:40 PM, Allani was walking near the intersection of York and Adelaide Streets when he was struck by Sahota’s vehicle, which was driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Sahota reportedly approached the intersection in his late-model BMW, heading westbound on Adelaide, where only eastbound traffic is permitted.

The impact was catastrophic. Sahota’s vehicle knocked Allani to the ground, causing him a fractured L1 vertebra and fractured left tibia. He was then assisted by a bystander and rushed to the hospital, where he spent eight days recovering from severe injuries, including persistent dizziness and concussions.

After the collision, Sahota fled the scene, turning south down York Street, another one-way street, before eventually parking on Mercer Street by Blue Jays Way. He turned himself in to the police on November 8, 2022. Sahota has pleaded not guilty to charges of impaired driving, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The trial has begun with testimonies from witnesses, including Serena Tamaya-Heer, who described the chaotic events leading up to the collision. Tamaya-Heer recounted how she and her boyfriend attempted to locate Sahota after he had been drinking at a BMW event at the Bisha Hotel. She reported seeing him drinking wine earlier in the evening, and as they searched for him after realizing he had their belongings, her boyfriend attempted to contact Sahota.

The situation escalated into a frantic search as Tamaya-Heer described her boyfriend’s distress over Sahota’s aggressive and slurred speech on the phone. “Arjun was yelling f—, f—, f—. It was very aggressive,” she testified. As they continued to locate Sahota, the search became a “wild goose chase for a drunk guy,” highlighting the urgency and danger of the situation.

Upon finally locating Sahota, Tamaya-Heer detailed the struggle to get him into her car, recalling that he was loud, emotional, and even cried during the ride. She noted the distinct smell of alcohol and his erratic behavior, which included attempts to remove his seatbelt and unlock the doors while she was driving.

WHAT’S NEXT: The trial remains ongoing, and the next steps will include further testimonies from witnesses and possibly the defense’s arguments. The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, raising critical questions about impaired driving and public safety.

Stay tuned for more updates as this trial unfolds, and share your thoughts on this serious matter.