CTV News 

The driver whose truck plowed into a pre-wedding procession on an Abbotsford, B.C., road last week says he's distraught that six people were killed, but said the incident wasn't his fault.

Bachitar Singh Brar, 71, also told Sher-e-Punjab Radio he feels for the families of the bride and groom, whose wedding day was ruined by the tragedy.

Three southern Ontario residents and two women from British Columbia were among the six killed in the incident on Friday. Nine of the 17 people injured remain in hospital Monday, but one of two injured infants has been released.

The dead and injured were part of a group of about 30 people taking part in a traditional Sikh pre-wedding celebration.

Brar, a farmer, told the radio station Monday he was driving up a slope on his way back from a blueberry cannery late Friday night and became confused when he saw lots of people on the road.

He said he couldn't brake in time. The next thing he knew, he said, people were lying on the ground.

Police have not released the names of the dead, but relatives have named most of them.

They are Damanpreet Singh Kang, 13 of Brampton, Ont., who had waited to celebrate his birthday in the Fraser Valley community; Toronto residents Rubel Gill, 21, and her brother, Bhupinder Singh Kaler, 25;Satwinder Mahil, of Abbotsford;Rupdaman Dhillon, of Dallas, Tex. Another woman from Abbotsford is also among the deceased.

Abbotsford police said the road was dry at the time of the accident, and investigators are examining the truck for mechanical failures.

"He's very co-operative. It's just one of those unfortunate incidents," Sgt. Amar Kingra told CBC News. "It's dark and there were people on part of the road at least, and some on the shoulder. [They were] in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"So far there is no indication that this person intended to hurt anyone … there's absolutely no connection between the driver of the vehicle or any of the family members," Kingra said.
    
Police have ruled out drugs or alcohol as the cause of the accident after questioning the driver.

Despite the tragedy, the wedding went ahead in Mission on Sunday, but only 200 to 300 of the expected 500 guests attended; the reception was cancelled.

The victims were mostly from the bride's family. They were marching down a dimly lit rural road just before 11 p.m. on Friday when they were struck.