As Austin Deir rose from the prisoner’s box on Tuesday afternoon to address the court in Clarenville at the conclusion of his sentencing hearing, the parents of Haley Keating sprung to their feet and left the room, unwilling to listen to anything Deir had to say.

Fearing there might be more disruptions, Judge Andrew Brown issued some words of caution to the tense crowd, and said Deir “has the right to address the court and I must consider what he has to say.”

With that, Deir, who has pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving causing death, started reading from a prepared statement.

“I understand there’s nothing I can say will diminish the pain and loss my actions have caused these families. However, I am truly sorry,” Deir said.

‘Consumed with regret and remorse’

Ever since the crash nearly two years ago that resulted in the deaths of Haley Keating and Erin Pretty, Deir said “my waking hours have been consumed with regret and remorse that will remain with me forever.”

Deir said he wishes it was him who died on the highway that day.

“I’ve lived 73 years, and they lived [22] years,” he said.

It was a notable moment in a heart-wrenching and anger-inducing tragedy that began on a sunny Sunday afternoon on Jan. 21, 2024 on a bending stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Arnold’s Cove, and has been slowly making its way through the justice system ever since.

After enduring backlash outside the courthouse on several occasions, and a sustained social media onslaught described by Deir’s lawyer, Rosellen Sullivan, as a “modern-day lynch mob,” it was the first time Deir had his say.

“I know they had said I don’t feel remorse, but nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

Sullivan said Deir would have apologized earlier, but said he never had a chance because of the anger and harsh comments sent his way each time he arrived at the courthouse.

Because of the tension, RCMP officers and extra sheriff’s officers were deployed at the court this week, and those seeking justice for Keating and Pretty were asked to stay on the opposite side of the road from the courthouse. Still, angry comments persisted as Deir arrived each time at the building on Marine Drive.

“When a person is trying to make amends and is met with such palpable hatred, the only thing you can do is put your head down, put one foot in front of the other, and get in this building. I can tell you it is genuine,” Sullivan said of Deir’s apology and remorse.

But Keating’s mother, Kelly Tulk, disagreed.

“That was an apology that was long overdue,” she told CBC News after the hearing concluded. “If he had come to me or sent a condolence after this happened a long time ago, then it would have been a genuine one, but to have one presented just to look good in front of the judge — it’s not something I wanted to listen to.”

50 victim impact statements

It was an extraordinary two days in Clarenville, with the court receiving 50 victim impact statements from family and friends of Keating and Pretty.

Lawyers involved in the case say it may have set a new benchmark for the province’s justice system.

The statements painted a picture of two young women with bright futures who had their lives unfairly ended by Deir’s reckless driving. The statements also revealed the lasting agony and grief being endured by the families, and their quest for justice.

Judge Brown will also consider dozens of letters of support for Austin Deir, who was described in those letters as hard working, loyal, dependable, compassionate and patient.

Sullivan described his erratic behaviour on the day of the crash as a “one-off.”

“It was five minutes of his life that changed the trajectory of so many other people’s lives. It was five minutes with catastrophic results. It was five minutes that will define him until the day he dies,” said Sullivan.

In her submission to Judge Brown, Crown attorney Alison Manning recommended that Deir receive a period of incarceration of between three and four years, and lose his driving privileges for between five and 10 years.

Manning said such a sentence would be on the lower end for a charge that can include a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“We must deter him from doing this again, and deter the public from driving in this matter,” she said, adding that the fact two people died in the crash is an aggravating factor.

Sullivan said Deir is a good candidate for a conditional sentence of two years less a day — essentially, house arrest —because he’s never been in trouble with the law and has worked a long, successful career in health care and the labour movement.

Sullivan said Deir also pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity in order to accept whatever punishment the court decides, and to avoid a protracted legal process.

“He’s trying to accept responsibility,” she said.

Deir will be sentenced on Feb. 6.

Deir was driving erratically

Deir, a union representative with NAPE, was driving west in an SUV, and according to witnesses, was driving erratically.

Keating and Pretty were returning home following a day of shopping and fun in Clarenville, with Keating at the wheel of her Hyundai car.

Deir failed to negotiate the turn, and veered into the oncoming lane. Keating braked hard and tried to avoid Deir’s vehicle, but both vehicles collided on the passenger side.

Pretty died at the scene. Keating died a week later after enduring multiple surgeries.

Deir’s vehicle caught on fire, and he was seriously injured.

• Blood-alcohol level won’t be a factor in sentencing Austin Deir for fatal TCH collision

Deir was initially charged with two counts each of impaired driving causing death, and dangerous driving causing death.

Deir admitted to having three to four glasses of whisky the night before the collision, but his blood-alcohol level was under the legal limit at the time of the crash, and the impaired charges were withdrawn in April. Judge Brown has said alcohol impairment will not be a factor in his sentencing decision.

Deir’s blood sample also contained medication he takes for anxiety.