Charges laid in 2020 crash that killed Surrey mother

The Surrey RCMP says charges have been laid against a former delivery driver after a fatal collision in 2020 killed a local mother.

The incident happened almost three years ago while the driver was delivering Amazon parcels. On Dec. 15, 2020, police received reports that an unoccupied cargo van hit a pedestrian who was on the sidewalk at the time.

A news release from that time said the van had rolled into traffic near 144 Street and 61A Avenue, travelled onto the sidewalk, and then struck the woman. Paramjit Kaur Masutta, 47, has been celebrated for protecting her twin daughters, as she allegedly pushed them out of the way moments before she was hit.

Police say she later died from her injuries.

Twenty-five-year-old Jeo Kurian was charged on Oct. 10, 2023, with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

“This was a tragic and devastating loss for the victim’s family, and has also impacted many people within our community,” said Criminal Collision Investigation Team Sgt. Tom Boyce. 

“Our team has remained committed to collecting all evidence required throughout this complex investigation, in order to bring this matter before the courts.“

In April 2022, the victim’s husband filed a civil claim in the BC Supreme Court, seeking damages from Amazon, Kurian, and two logistics companies, Foss National Leasing Ltd. and Damy Logistics Ltd.

The lawsuit alleged the driver did not take reasonable steps to avoid the collision, and his employers did not train him properly.

“Employers cannot put the employees in a situation where, just for high-profit-driven policy,” said Brij Mohan, the lawyer representing Masutta’s family. “They put them under tremendous stress that they have to deliver so many parcels in such a little time.”

The lawsuit said the driver parked the vehicle illegally, facing the wrong way on the street, and did not use the emergency brake or put the van in “park” before exiting the vehicle.

The notice also alleged that the driver’s ability was “impaired by the use of drugs, alcohol, weariness, medical causes or other causes.”

Surrey RCMP Corp. Vanessa Munn tells CityNews the investigation was “long and complex,” and required many judicial authorizations throughout the process.

“I think we are all happy that it has kind of reached the point that it has, and the charges have been approved,” Munn said.

“This was a very tragic incident that impacted everyone involved, from on scene, the person’s family, the people who have been investigating this, all the way through. It was just an absolute tragedy.

“Most of all, I think that our investigators are hoping that this update brings the family just a step closer to maybe feeling some sense of closure. Nothing we do could ever bring her back, but we are hoping that this brings them one step forward, closer to some closure,” Munn added.

In a statement to CityNews, Amazon says, “We continue to be deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts are with the family.”

According to the company, drivers are hired by a third party. It notes at the time of the incident, Kurian worked for Damy Logistics Ltd.

Kurian’s first appearance in court is on Oct. 31, 2023. He is not currently held in custody.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify Kurian was working for a company that was delivering parcels for Amazon.