Emotional victim impact statements were read in a Calgary courtroom on Thursday in the trial for a man who pleaded guilty to being behind the wheel in a crash that killed his friend two years ago.
Chris Fitzsimons,24, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into parked cars on Dover Ridge Dr. S.E. on January 22, 2011.
Travis Meissinger, 20, was a passenger in the vehicle and died at the scene.
Fitzsimons was charged with impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death and pleaded guilty to the charges in April of 2013.
Travis Meissinger's mother, father, brother and grandmother all took the stand on Thursday to read victim impact statements.
“We know that we raised a good boy and we're proud to call him our son," said Travis’ mother, Dana.
The Crown asked for a sentence of two to five years.
Fitzsimons was sentenced to two years in a federal institition.
The Meissingers say that the penalty is not enough.
"I went through 28 months of hell. I think he deserves 28 months of hell. Maybe I could be wrong, maybe I'm being greedy as a mom but go through my shoes and then we'll talk," said Dana Meissinger, "It's hard for me to feel anything right now."
"The federal governement has got to start putting a minimum of a five year sentence in this, not a two year sentence," said Ken Meissinger, Travis' Dad.
"I'm happy there's closure and I can move on," said Travis' brother Brent. "I gotta be here for my family, Family and friends first."
The judge in the case believed that Fitzsimons showed genuine remorse and pointed out that this was his only crime.
"Typically the sentences are in the two to five year range. there are cases that are much highter but those are for very aggravating cases with multiple deaths and horrendous records which we don't have here," said Crown Prosecutor, Jonathan Hak.
The family says they will try and move forward but nothing will bring back their son and brother.
(with files from Elissa Carpenter)
