Ronald Thistle handed 2-year jail term in drunk-driving death of Nick Coates

The family of a man killed in a mid-day drunk driving collision nearly two years ago in St. John's says their lives have been forever altered.

Nick Coates, 27, was on his way back to work on his motorcycle on Aug. 16, 2013, when he was cut off by Ronald Thistle in a pickup truck, resulting in a T-bone crash.

Thistle, who was convicted of impaired driving causing death last week, admitted he was drinking the night before the crash, as well as earlier that morning, but still chose to drive.  

Coates, an engineering graduate, died later in hospital.

On Wednesday, Thistle was handed a sentence of two years less a day — six months more than what the defence had asked for.

He will be under a lifetime driving ban and was ordered to pay a $200 victim surcharge.

Before the sentence was imposed, before nearly 30 friends and family of Coates, Thistle apologized for the fatal consequences of his actions.

"I'm extremely sorry for what I [have] done," Thistle told the court, showing no emotion.

Stiffer penlites sought for drunk drivers who kill

His apology, however, isn't enough for Coates' father Terry Coates, who sat with a photo of his son in his lap throughout sentencing.

"It's too late for that," Coates told reporters. "I think if they see a bigger sentence it may encourage them to stop drinking and driving."

Unless you've lost a child, you'll never know and I hope you never do.- Linda Coates, mother

He said he and his wife are lobbying for stiffer penalties for those who drink and get behind the wheel. 

Nick Coates made sure his family stayed together and got along, said step-mother Patricia Coates.

Without him, Coates said, the family is torn apart. 

"My life is completely upside down, so is my daughter's and my parents'. This man has taken part of my life," mother Linda Coates said, choking back tears.

"Unless you've lost a child, you'll never know and I hope you never do."

'Sound the alarm'

In rendering his decision, Justice Carl Thompson said Thistle made a faulty judgment in determining the risk of driving his car on to Kenmount Road.

"It was not for him to judge another vehicle's response to signals," Thompson said. "It was rather for him to ensure that no oncoming traffic was present in the lanes he was crossing." 

Thompson also said he does not believe that a change in speed of Coates' motorcycle would have changed the outcome. 

"For very different reasons, this offender is changed forever, as are his wife and children. They have heard and lived the sound of the alarm," Thompson said.

"It is the alarm that here today we have recognized and lived again the tragedy where the choices of alcohol and a vehicle have combined to remove forever from us a real person, a good person, who ought not to have died."

Thompson's sentencing decision matched the recommendation advocated by the Crown. 

In his honour

Since Coates' death tens of thousands of dollars have been raised in his honour for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 

Just weeks after Coates was killed, friends organized a car show in his honour.

The initiative raised $22,000 for M.A.D.D. 

Friends and family will continue to hold the car show annually.