The sentencing process for Austin Deir resumed in Clarenville Provincial Court this morning, hearing from the father of Haley Keating, one of two young women killed by Deir’s dangerous driving almost two years ago.

For Kenny Tulk, the deep pain of losing his daughter is rivalled only by the feeling of helplessness – not being unable to fix it or make it better for her mother and Haley’s little sister.

It has been unbearable, he said, to watch them suffer, Haley’s mom crying “every single day,” and his youngest forever to deal with the absence and lost guidance of her older idol.

“I thought I knew what pain and suffering was,” he said. “We are an incomplete family. There are no special occasions anymore.”

Deir was first charged with impaired and dangerous driving causing the deaths of Haley and Erin Pretty, both 22 years old. But last month the impaired charges were dropped in exchange for guilty pleas to the others.

The head-on crash occurred on January 21, 2024, on the TCH near Arnold’s Cove.

The court also heard from Haley’s young cousins this morning, just eight and nine years old, telling of trips to the arcade and snow angels that will never happen again.

Said one: “I’m scared for Haley because she could be scared in Heaven. I hope she’s not alone and Erin is there with her.”