Ronald Thistle released from jail more than 2 years after Nick Coates's death

Ronald Thistle, the St. John's man who was impaired when he pulled into traffic in front of Nicholas Coates's motorcyclekilling himhas been released from jail.

Thistle, 68, was sentenced to nearly two years in jail in April 2015 for impaired driving causing death stemming from a crash on Kenmount Road.

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

Full parole was granted late last week after Thistle servednine months of his provincial sentence.

It was notedThistle has been assessed as being a low risk to re-offend.

Thistle is under conditions not to consume alcohol and has to provide urinalysis on demandat regular intervals or when a parole supervisor believes he has been drinking.

He is also not allowed to contact any member of Coates's family.

Missed opportunity

In a statement to CBC News, Coates's father and step-mother said they were not notified of Thistle's hearing, which would have provided them with the opportunity to discuss how the crime has affected them.

"We were obviously shocked and heartbroken that we did not get a chance to represent our son at Mr.Thistle's parole hearing," said TerryCoatesand PatriciaHynes-Coatesin a statement to CBC News.

The parole board said no hearing was held because Thistle served a provincial sentence.

"We feel that the hearing was our chance to reiterate to Mr.Thistle how senseless drinking and driving truly is and just how much his senseless actions that day has cost our family and Nicholas."

The Coatesessaid they "understand that, as far as our law states, Mr. Thistle's debt has been paid to society."

While working with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the pair continue to keep Coates's memory alive by lobbying against drunk driving.

Patricia Hynes-Coates, Nick's step-mother, said it's disturbing how little time Thistle served.

"His sentence is served. We can't do anything no matter what we say, what we do. It's not going to change the circumstances," she told CBC News Tuesday.

Hynes-Coates said she and her husband are determined to lobby for changes in the lawso that there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

"We would like to see in the courtsystem [that]the person who had committed to crime [be required] to bein that court room every day that this is being put forth," she said, referring to how accused persons can sometimes have their lawyers represent them in court.

"It seems the victim has no rights and the person who has committed the crime has all the rights."

Substance abuse

Thistle was drinking heavily the night before the collision on Aug. 16, 2013 and had a drink the morning prior to the crash that killed Coates.

The 27-year-old was on his way back to work on his motorcycle when Thistle cut him off.

Coates later died in hospital.

In the written decision obtained by CBC News, the parole board noted Thistle had no prior convictions, but he acknowledged driving drunk in the past.

"Since being retired, your alcohol use had become problematic," the report said.

While out on bail, awaiting trial, Thistle indicated he didn't drink.

In his application to the parole board, Thistle said he wished to "re-establish life with [his] family, spend time with [his] family and friends and attend any required programming."

Full parole means Thistle will stayat his home with support of other family members.

"The board views the late onset of your criminality, your very limited criminal historyand your positive supervision history as indictors of your ability to avoid crimes and self-control for extended periods as well as to meet expectations while supervised in the community when living in a liberal setting."

Thistle took part in treatment programs while in jail.