Family and friends of a grandfather fatally struck on his morning walk have slammed the sentence given to his drug-driving killer, branding it appalling.
Mark Trestrail, 73, was pronounced dead soon after he was run over 20m from his home at Northgate, in Brisbane's north, early one morning in March 2024.
Ryan Anderson Hassell, 25, was sentenced in Brisbane District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.
Hassell had a high level of methamphetamine and other drugs in his system when he drove his ute on the opposite side of the road before mounting the kerb and striking Mr Trestrail.
Hassell received a five-year jail term, to be suspended after serving 12 months, and was disqualified from driving for two-and-a-half years.
Mr Trestrail's son Cory did not hide his anger over the sentence when he addressed media outside court as family members held a framed portrait of the beloved grandfather.
"We came here to seek justice, we feel let down," he said.
"(Hassell) chose to get into his car, he chose to take drugs and because of his choices my old man is not here."
Cory Trestrail said he was shocked to learn Hassell was on a good-behaviour bond for drug possession at the time of the crash.
Family friend Elissa Sheehan said the sentence represented "the justice system failing us".
"That sentence for taking a life, it's unacceptable, it's appalling," she said.
It would have taken some time for Hassell to drive out of his own lane and onto the opposite kerb, Judge Michael Byrne heard.
"This was not just momentary inattention," crown prosecutor Arielle Spiteri said.
Hassell told police he reached to adjust his radio before he struck Mr Trestrail, saying he had consumed eight to 10 beers the night before and cannabis a few days prior.
"He denied taking drugs in some sort of effort to distance himself," Ms Spiteri said.
Judge Byrne said testing positive to toxic levels of methamphetamine and benzodiazepine was a strong indicator that Hassell was lying.
"That you got in the vehicle so fundamentally unfit to drive illustrates the level of dangerousness," he said.
The drug-driver now accepted that he was addicted and kept using methamphetamine after being sentenced for possession, defence barrister Steven Dickson said.
"He cannot even begin to imagine being in Mr Trestrail's family's shoes," Mr Dickson said.
"He will never forgive himself for what he has done."
Hassell had taken commendable steps to seek drug treatment soon after the crash, Judge Byrne heard.
"Nothing this court can do can undo the horrendous things that occurred," the judge said.
"All that can be done is attempt to balance the competing considerations as best that can be done with the blunt tool that is the criminal court."
Mr Trestrail's supporters gasped and said "oh my God" when Judge Byrne read out the sentence that would guarantee Hassell release after 12 months.
