Dilpreet Sandhu, 19, charged in 2019 fatal collision in Newton that killed Vancouver Whitecaps prospect Brandon Bassi

Brandon Bassi

SURREY RCMP announced on Wednesday that charges have been laid against Dilpreet Sandhu, 19, who was involved in a fatal collision that occurred last spring in Newton. 

On May 18, 2019, shortly after midnight, Surrey RCMP responded to a collision involving a single vehicle, a Jeep, at the intersection of 122nd Street and 78th Avenue. The collision resulted in injuries to four of the vehicle’s occupants. Three individuals, two males and a female, were transported to hospital in serious condition. A fourth individual, a male, was transported to hospital in non-serious condition. All persons transported to hospital were in their late teens or early twenties. Two individuals fled the scene on foot but were later identified.

One of those injured was famous soccer player Brandon Bassi, 19, who later succumbed to his injuries.

SFU Athletics website at the time put up the following message: “Simon Fraser University, its men’s soccer program and our students and student-athletes are saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Brandon Bassi, a first-year student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and a member of the men’s soccer team.

“Brandon was an outstanding athlete, a caring teammate, and an inspirational young man.”

The Surrey RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team, in partnership with the Integrated Collision Analysis Reconstruction Service, assumed conduct of what became a complex investigation. 

On June 1, 2020, eight charges were laid against the alleged driver of the vehicle, Dilpreet Sandhu, including dangerous driving causing death, and fail to remain causing death. 

“This collision had a significant impact on the community due to the tragic loss of a young person’s life,” said Sgt. Ian MacLellan, Surrey RCMP Traffic Services. “We’re pleased that the hard work of the officers has resulted in charges being approved.” 

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or, if they wish to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.