Man jailed for killing former Narrandera teacher in crash

A man who drove drunk and killed his close friend in a crash on the New South Wales Far South Coast has been jailed for six years. Edward James McCoid, 34, was sentenced by Bega District Court Judge Andrew Haesler today, after pleading guilty to aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death. Ritchie Faulkner, a 46-year-old grandfather and former Narrandera high school teacher, died from his injuries after the car they were in crashed at Tura Beach, north of Merimbula, on 21 June last year. Police alleged that McCoid's blood alcohol concentration could have been as high as 0.25 when he was behind the wheel. McCoid lost control while overtaking a car towing a boat, sending the car airborne before it rolled for more than 60 metres along the roadside. He was flown to Canberra Hospital, while Mr Faulkner died later that night from cardiac arrest after being taken to Bega's South East Regional Hospital with severe injuries. Outside court, Mr Faulkner's sister, Valley Mein, described her brother as fun-loving, outgoing and non-judgemental. "He was a friend to everyone because he was very open," she said. In her victim impact statement, Ms Mein described her brother as the "glue" that held their family together. "Losing him has shattered our foundation," she told the court. "This offender has given us a life sentence of trauma and profound grief." Jack Faulkner told the court he had lost not only his father but also his "best mate". "He was the first person I called every time I achieved something," he said. "Not a day will go past where he isn't missed." In her victim impact statement, Mr Faulkner's daughter, Kaylah Harlow, said she often wondered what her father's final moments had been like. "I cry in the car when I hear a song that reminds me of him," she told the court. "I cry when I listen to his voicemails every week." During sentencing, Judge Haesler read a letter from McCoid, who appeared via video link from custody with his head bowed for much of the hearing. In the letter, McCoid expressed remorse and sorrow towards Mr Faulkner's family and friends. "These thoughts will haunt me for the rest of my life," the letter read. The judge described the events of that night as "tragic" and an "incomprehensible betrayal by a friend". The court heard McCoid continued to drink heavily after being discharged from rehabilitation following the crash, and at one point suffered an alcohol withdrawal seizure that required hospitalisation. "The community has to be protected from him," the judge told the court. McCoid was disqualified from driving for two years and will be eligible for parole in May 2030.

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