A Pouch Cove man has been sentenced to three years in jail for impaired driving causing death following a crash on the Veteran’s Memorial Highway two years ago.

The fiery collision that took 25-year-old Nicholas Fong’s life happened on March 19th, 2024.

Fong was driving along the Veteran’s Memorial near Harbour Grace when a truck driven by Jonathan Patten, who is now 29, crossed the centre line, colliding with him head-on.

According to the RCMP, Patten had “numerous illicit impairing drugs” in his system at the time.

The man plead guilty to the charge of impaired driving causing death last September.

In Harbour Grace Provincial Court on Thursday, Judge Mark Pike said that the impacts of the offence were evident to him after hearing victim impact statements.

Patten has made ‘commendable efforts’ toward rehabilitation says judge

He also acknowledged that Patten has shown remorse for his actions and has made “commendable efforts” to rehabilitate.

Patten has been sentenced to three years in jail followed by a three-year driving prohibition.