Man charged in death of Surrey, B.C., woman who was struck by runaway cargo van

Charges have been laid in connection with the death of a pedestrian who was struck by an unoccupied cargo van while she was out for a walk with her children in Surrey, B.C.

Paramjit Kaur Masutta, 48, was killed on Dec. 15, 2020, when the van rolled into traffic near 144 Street and 61A Avenue and struck a vehicle before mounting the sidewalk. A witness and Masutta's husband have both said she pushed her twin daughters out of the path of the runaway van before she was struck.

Nearly three years later, 25-year-old Jeo Kurian has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, according to Surrey RCMP.

"This was a tragic and devastating loss for the victim's family, and has also impacted many people within our community," RCMP Sgt. Tom Boyce said in a news release. 

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

Kurian is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on Oct. 31.

Masutta's widower, Daljit Singh Masutta, filed a suit last year against Kurian, Amazon and two logistics companies — Foss National Leasing and Damy Logistics — alleging their negligence led to her death.

Damy provides delivery services for Amazon in the Lower Mainland, and Foss owned and leased the truck to Kurian, according to the claim.

It alleges the delivery truck was parked illegally, facing the wrong direction on 144 Street, with the handbrake off.

A response to the claim filed on behalf of Kurian and all the companies named as defendants denies any negligence.

Dates have not been set for the civil case to go to trial.