Stepmother of N.L. man killed by drunk driver new MADD Canada president

The stepmother of a man who was killed by a drunk driver in St. John's in 2013 is the new national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Patricia Hynes-Coates first became involved with MADD Canada, after her stepson Nick Coates died in hospital.

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Nick Coates, 27, was riding his motorcycle when hecollided with apickup truck and was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Ronald Thistle, the driver of the pickup, was sentenced to nearly two years in jail for impaired driving causing death, but served just nine months behind bars.

Hynes-Coates and her husband Terry Coates became involved with theMADDchapter on theAvalon Peninsulafollowing hisdeath,and have taken part in various fundraising and awareness efforts, includingthe Nick Coates Memorial Car Show.

"It is an honour and a privilege to be the new national president of MADD Canada," said Hynes-Coates in a media release.

"Together with the countless families and friends of all victims of impaired driving, I am committed to doing everything I can to prevent this terrible tragedy from happening to others. My hope for the future is that people will realize that impaired driving is not an accident; it is a choice and it is simply not acceptable."

Hynes-Coates will start her three-year term in September.