Street-racing ‘murderer’ says sorry for killing trucker

BARRIE, Ont. — One of three men whose street racing led to the death of truck driver David Virgoe last June told a Barrie courtroom yesterday that he was ashamed and embarrassed of his actions.

“I call myself a murderer, a sinner,” the accused, Nauman Nusrat, 20, told the court.

According to the Toronto Star, Nusrat appeared in front of Justice Gregory Regis after pleading guilty to the charges of criminal negligence causing death, driving without insurance and having forged insurance documents. He also told the court that he tried to rescue the driver of the truck after the accident, but with no success.

Nusrat and two others were taking a dozen friends to nearby Wasaga Beach via Highway 400 when just south of highway 89, Nusrat struck a jeep, lost control and caused one of the other racers to cut in front of Virgoe’s truck.

Virgoe avoided the racing car, and veered his tanker away from oncoming traffic before striking a guardrail, overturning in the ditch. He was killed instantly.

Witness say it was clear that Virgoe, a father, grandfather and experienced trucker, steered away from the wreckage on purpose in order to avoid an even bigger accident.

Nusrat apologized to Virgoe’s wife, Debbie, and her family, who were in the courtroom. He vowed never to drive again.

Co-accused Prabhjit Multani and Ravi Badwhar are awaiting trial.

As a result of his heroic efforts, Virgoe was named, posthumously, as a finalist in the annual Goodyear Tire North American Highway Hero Award.

— with files from the Toronto Star