Driver pleads guilty in death of Saskatoon teenager Quinn Stevenson

Watch above: Man sentenced to two years in drunk driving death of Saskatoon teen

SASKATOON – Almost 14 months after Quinn Stevenson was killed by a drunk driver, the man accused in his death, Robin Tyler John pleaded guilty Thursday in Saskatoon court.

For the first time in about 20 years, two provincial court rooms were needed to accommodate friends and family of Stevenson.

John pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing the death of the 17-year-old and was handed a two-year sentence.

While the length disappoints the Stevenson family, they say they are glad this part of their ordeal is over.

“I don’t think there’s any sentence that would be enough. Two years, 12 years, 25 years for us it doesn’t change anything, we’ve lost Quinn forever. He (Robin John) has to live with what he’s done, to me that’s true justice,” said Bonny Stevenson, Quinn’s mother.

Quinn Stevenson was killed on Aug. 3, 2013 after being struck by a vehicle on College Drive.

A year later, a lengthy police investigation led officers to 26-year-old Robin Tyler John last month.

“The moment that he was charged was a real day of satisfaction for me cause at least he was no longer this person in hiding, the person that we heard all these things about, he was real, his name was in the paper, his picture was in the paper,” said Bonny.

On top of the two-year prison sentence, John also received two years probation and a three-year driving ban.

“Once we determined what facts were involved, you take those particular facts you take precedent and you work on that. There’s a number of factors that drive sentences up and down and this was essentially in the middle of the range and the biggest factor was the early guilty plea,” said Crown Prosecutor Frank Impey.

After having to relive the collision and their feelings through victim impact statements, the Stevenson family are thankful to have some semblance of closure.

“Everyone’s done what they could have done but the legal system sucks with this kind of charge and you know everyone admits it and hopefully some day it will change so another family who goes through this, they’ll know there’s a little bit more at the end for them,” said Craig Stevenson, Quinn’s father.

When asked by the court if he had anything to say to the Stevenson family, Robin Tyler John said no.