WARMINGTON: Victim fights for life, alleged drunk driver out on bail

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All Gabriel Rizi Arshad was doing was going to meet up with his pal for pizza.

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Thanks to a serial drunk driver allegedly going through a red light and smashing into his car on the driver’s side, the beloved son, brother, boyfriend, uncle and youth soccer coach lies in a hospital bed unconscious with multiple major injuries and an unclear future.

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As he fights for his life in a Toronto hospital, a 58-year-old Mississauga man charged with serious criminal offences in this case has been released on bail and is free and unhurt.

The contrast is stark and repulsive. Life is not always fair. Sometimes it’s cruel.

“The sprinter van flying through the intersection just crushed him,” said the 21-year-old’s father Riz Arshad.

Pictures of the crash released by Peel Regional Police show the Ford Focus car the young man was driving pinned against the car rail at the light.

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“They had to cut Gabriel out of the car,” said his father.

While the man who allegedly caused this devastation was not injured, the young man from Bolton who has been taking preparation courses to become a plumber has major injuries to much of his body. Most of his vital organs were badly shredded, a femur on one of his legs was broken, a fractured pelvis, massive head injuries, damage to his face, arms and hands.

“He’s also in a coma and had to have blood transfusions,” said Riz. “The doctors and medical professionals are doing everything they can for him.”

It’s frantic, all hands on deck scene at a trauma centre where they are working 24/7 to try to save this kid who is a victim of a crime, allegedly at the hands of a man who has been banned from driving after three previous incidents of criminal convictions for impaired driving.

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“He loves pizza and he was heading up to Woodbridge to meet his friend at a really good pizza place,” said his dad.

Gabriel didn’t make it there.

As Peel Regional Police reported, he was T-boned in a four-vehicle collision Saturday, July 5th at 4:15 p.m. at the corner of Hwy. 50 and Coleraine Dr, in Brampton at the Bolton borderline.

Police call his condition “unstable.” Gabriel should already be dead, but he’s clinging to life and fighting for it with his loving mom, dad and three siblings at his bedside praying for him to pull through. They are praying for a miracle.

“He’s a strong kid with a good soul,” said his dad.

The medical people are doing their part, and they hope Gabriel will be able to respond to the numerous and ongoing efforts to save his life. He is “in unstable, critical condition.” And if he is able to come out of his coma, police say “he is anticipated to have long-term life-altering injuries.”

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“We will take him anyway we can get him,” said his dad.

They all know it is an uphill battle.

“It’s devastating,” said Riz. “We are all still in shock.”

And to add insult to injury, the family can’t believe the accused in this case — Koushal Kasiram who has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, driving with excess blood alcohol and is prohibited from driving three times — is already out of custody and on bail.

“It’s a disgrace,” said his dad. “They had him in custody, and they let him go. It doesn’t make any sense.”

In a GoFundMe page set up to help raise some money for what they hope will be a chance for a period of healing and recovery from his major wounds, the family wrote “what makes this even more heartbreaking and infuriating is that the individual responsible for this unimaginable pain — who (allegedly) made the reckless decision to drink and drive — has already been released on bail. His first request was denied, but just one day later, he granted him freedom, while our brother remains unconscious and hooked up to machines.”

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Said the GoFundMe message: “Gabriel is so much more than a victim of this senseless act. He’s a vibrant, kind, and passionate young man with a heart of gold. He lives to make people laugh and always brings joy to those around him. He loves soccer — both playing and coaching — and he pours his heart into helping others on and off the field.”

It added “Gabriel is deeply loved by his parents, his three siblings, and his girlfriend — all of whom are devastated and holding onto hope through every second of this nightmare. His extended family and close friends are also rallying around him with prayers, love, and unwavering support. Gabriel means the world to so many, and the thought of a future without his smile, his laughter, and his light is unbearable.”

The family does not want any other family to go through what they are going through right now.

“The whole community is at risk now,” his dad said.

His son was at risk when he went through that intersection but had no way of ever knowing it.

“This was not a car accident. This was a crime,” said his dad, asking “how did this man have a vehicle to drive when he is not legally allowed to drive? Did someone lend it to him and will be drive again while on bail?”

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Many are asking these questions, including Peel Deputy Police Chief Marc Andrews, who like most police officers, are disgusted with what happened here. Police say this is the sixth time they have charged this accused with similar offences and nothing has deterred him from getting behind the wheel in the past.

While few have any faith in a broken justice and court system that should be held to account for their poor, and equally as dangerous, handling of this file, the family’s focus is tightly focused on their son and the fight for his life.

“He’s such a good kid,” said his dad. “He’s kind, caring and loves his family. He’s a mamma’s boy who loves his Barcelona soccer. Lionel Messi and coaching an under-16 team. “

Their desire is for him survive this nightmare and get a second chance to participate in his passions again.

But first, he has to wake up.

“It’s a fight he never asked for,” said the family. “Every moment is uncertain. Every breath he takes is a battle.”

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