Lethbridge man sentenced to 15 months in jail for fatal hit and run

LETHBRIDGE – Edward James Mikla has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for a fatal hit and run that killed 45-year-old Lorne Miller. Thirty-one-year-old Mikla was also given 18 months probation and a five-year driving ban.

In Jan. 2014, Miller was riding his bike home from work when he was hit by a truck and left on the side of the road. Two days later, Mikla turned himself in to police.

After spending four months in a coma, Miller died of his injuries in May 2014.

Judge Rodney Jerke called Mikla’s actions reprehensible and deplorable at a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

“Like a coward, he went home to hide and cower,” Jerke said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Like a coward, he went home to hide and cower," Jerke said.

Crown Prosecutor Bill Wister said the longer sentence would set a precedent for other similar crimes.

“It is certainly double what the range of sentences has been in the past, so double that sentence can act as a pretty strong deterrent,” said Crown prosecutor Bill Wister.

Miller’s family said they were hoping for a stiffer sentence, but were satisfied with the outcome.

“There’s no sentence, no matter how great or small that will bring Lorne back,” Lorne’s father, Keith Miller, said. “I think the judge did the best he could do with what he was given to work with. Hopefully it will send a message to future hit and run drivers that if they do it, they’re going to do some time.”

“I think we need to take some time to try and heal a little bit and a little time to keep Lorne’s memory alive in our family,” Candace Van Diemen, Miller’s sister, said. “This also reaffirms our commitment to talk to the government about trying to get a minimum sentence in a hit and run causing death.”

READ MORE: ‘He will be greatly missed’ – Loved ones mourn death of Lorne Miller

Both Justice Jerke and defense lawyer Greg White suggested Mikla has shown genuine remorse.

“Mr. Mikla is prepared to serve his time and he asked me to tell his family he loves them,” White said. “[He asked] to say to the Millers he hopes they will be able to heal over time, and that he understands it will take time.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Mr. Mikla is prepared to serve his time and he asked me to tell his family he loves them," White said. "[He asked] to say to the Millers he hopes they will be able to heal over time, and that he understands it will take time."