Court - Drunk driver given four years in prison

By Darlene Casten
staff reporter

On the sixth anniversary of the crash that claimed the life of Black Diamond resident Rita Coats, the drunk driver who collided with the woman’s vehicle was sentenced to four years in prison.
Rita Coats, 48, died at the scene of the accident Sept. 9, 1998 and her then 14-year-old son Shawn and husband Alisdair both suffered serious injuries.
Shawn Coats underwent two surgeries during a month-long stay in hospital and had to wear a body brace for three months after being released. Alisdair Coats sustained a cracked anklebone and a cracked kneecap and was wheelchair bound for a month.
Nelson’s vehicle, which was traveling to Black Diamond from Okotoks on Highway 7, was observed weaving over the centre line for two kilometers prior to the crash. RCMP picked up Nelson after he fled from the scene. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 — over twice the legal limit. Nelson also has a 1992 drunk driving conviction.
Court of Queen’s Bench Judge Patricia Rowbotham sentenced Robert Charles Nelson to four years in prison.
He received a three-year sentence on a single charge of drunk driving causing death and two six-month sentences for charges of drunk driving causing injuries.
However, the sentence was shortened by five months due to credit for the two-and-a-half months Nelson has spent in custody.
He was also banned from driving for 10 years. The driving prohibition will begin when upon his release from prison.
Crown prosecutor Lloyd Robertson was satisfied with the sentence.
“This should be a strong reminder to people who are contemplating drinking and driving,” Robertson said.
The Coats family said while they understood that the sentence was typical for this type of crime they believe penalties for drinking and driving should be stiffened.
Eldest son Bruno Coats said Nelson should have received a life sentence for the crime.
“If they imposed the heaviest sentence possible it would go a long way,” he said following the sentencing Sept. 9.
“We are not looking for the courts to bring back our mother,” Bruno continued, referring to comments made by Rowbothom during the sentencing. “We are looking for them to do their job.”
Nelson was to stand trial for the charges Feb. 5, 2001, but did not appear for his court date and was then on the lam for three years. Nanton RCMP arrested Nelson at a ranch April 21.
Alisdair Coats is said Nelson should have received a harsh sentence for eluding justice for over three years.
“he ran away for the accident, and then he ran away for almost another four years,” Alisdair said. “I feel he should have gotten a much longer sentence.”
The sentencing has brought some measure of closure for the Coats family.
“We were always wondering what was going to happen to him — what his future was going to be,” Bruno said. “That chapter is closed. The next chapter will not include Robert Nelson. There is so much grief associated with that name.”
Alisdair Coats said the loss of his wife has been hard for himself and his children.
“It would have been great if we could have gotten on with our lives sooner,” Alisdair said. “(Nelson) should have been willing to face the consequences immediately.”
At a prior court date he told the court that he and his son Shawn, now 20, had left the foothills in 2000 due to the bad memories the crash created.
With the sentencing behind them Alisdair said the family can move forward.
“They (the feelings) never go away, but you learn to move on,” Alisdair said.