A Salmon Arm family is reeling after seeing a Global Okanagan News report dealing with a Kelowna man who caused the death of their son.
On Tuesday, Jean Paul Kowal of Kelowna went public for the first time after standing trial for causing the death of Donovan Pippus, 17, near Enderby in September 2011.
It was alleged that Kowal was drunk when his vehicle crossed a highway centre line, smashing into Pippus’ car.
But the courts ruled he wasn’t impaired.
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“I’ve been crying for two-and-a-half years,” says David Pippus, the victim’s father.
Those tears returned after he and his family saw Tuesday’s interview with Kowal who tried to explain his side of the story. He claims he fell asleep at the wheel and that he wasn’t drunk prior to the crash even though he had more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
Kowal says he drank immediately after the crash to numb the pain.
“I drank as much as I could.”
But David Pippus says he can’t swallow Kowal’s story.
“I think he’s a liar. If you do the crime. At least be man enough and man-up and say: Yah, I did it.”
Pippus’ older brother, Dan, says Kowal’s story is an insult to his dead brother and his family.
“Do you really think we’re that stupid? His story just doesn’t make sense.”
The victim’s mother, Diana, has her theory as to what really happened.
“I think he was drinking all the way,” says Diana Pippus.
Kowal was acquitted of impaired driving causing death and convicted of dangerous driving causing death. He’s now trying to reach out to the Pippus family, offering an apology.
David Pippus says he’s ready to accept Kowal’s apology but it must come with a confession.
“If he wants to tell the truth about it, I’m all for it. I would like to sit down and talk to him. I would like to give him a great big ol’ hug and say I forgive you if you just want to tell me the truth.”
But in the same breath, Pippus’ anger returns.
“Here’s where Don is,” as Pippus points to a box containing his son’s ashes. “He’s in this box right here. If he (Kowal) wants to trade places. That would be great. That would be payment enough. It’s not easy to swallow man. He killed our son.”
Kowal will be sentenced this spring.
The Pippus family says they’re expecting a sentence of less than three years in prison.
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