Although the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the 32-month sentence handed down to Ryan Gibson, convicted of killing 17-year-old Brandon Thomas of Cochrane on Dec. 6, 2012 in a drunk driving crash, the verdict was a painful reminder for the Thomas family.
Gibson appealed the sentence, following pleading guilty last year to driving over .08 causing death and driving over .08 causing bodily harm.
“It should have gone to trial — the sentence was not appropriate for the crime,” said grieving mother, Kim Thomas, who felt the Crown ‘sold her out’ with a two-year joint submission.
Kim said she begged the Crown to ask for a heavier sentence, but there was no consideration of her request.
She is currently seeking options to take the matter to a higher court, as she lives with the knowledge that Gibson served less than six months in minimum security before being released on day parole in the fall of 2013.
“I’m angry, but I don’t want vengeance — I want justice for Brandon and for the families of victims of drunk drivers.”
The Court of Appeal judges confirmed that a two-year sentence would not have been fitting and that had the Crown appealed the sentence, the high court may have imposed an even longer sentence (at least four years).
While she continues to battle the loss of her son, Kim is moving forward with her work with ‘Families for Justice’ — a group of families who have banded together to petition the federal government to impose heavier penalties on those who cause harm or kill others as a result of drunk driving.
She will also be hosting ‘Show Your Ride For Brandon 2015’ for the second year in a row.
The event will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 23 at a yet unconfirmed venue.
Held in Calgary last year, a much larger venue is required this year.
Pre-registration for the event (which can be found on Facebook at ‘Show Your Ride For Brandon 2015’) opened last week and more than 300 rides have been officially registered, with two car clubs promising an additional 100 entries each; registration is $20 per ride.
Last year’s premier event saw 152 registered rides.
“I’m floored and overwhelmed,” said Kim. “I’m so grateful for the support that people have shown for Brandon, for the event and for the fight against drunk driving.
In the coming months, Kim and event organizers will be reaching out to the local business community for corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Kim said all registration proceeds would go toward either a scholarship or endorsement in Brandon’s name for the mechanics program at the Southern Alberta Institute for Technology.
A passionate car enthusiast, it was Brandon’s dream to become a mechanic.
