How Nick Coates' memory is alive in the community
It's hard to see any good in losing a family member or friend in a preventable, tragic accident, like the one that killed young engineer Nick Coates nearly two years ago.
But family and friends have found a small comfort in what they can do to deter others from committing the same crime which killed Coates.
Coates died on Aug. 16, 2013, when Ronald Thistle — who was drunk — pulled his pickup truck from Polina Road in front of Coates' motorcycle on Kenmount Road.
Coates, 27, died later in hospital, leaving behind a mother, father, step-mother, siblings, grandparents and a large circle of friends.
"Just a few days after my brother passed, his car group Edition 709 contacted us and said, 'We want to do a car show, what do you think we should donate the money to?'" said Terri-Lee Coates, Nick's sister.
"I said, 100 per cent, Mothers Against Drunk Driving."
Within six days of the young man's death, the first annual Nick Coates Memorial Motor Show was held at the Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay.
The car show, which was something Coates always wanted to organize, raised over $22,000 in his name.
In keeping with the first year's success, the group expanded the second annual show at the Confederation Building, and raised another $15,000.
"I know Nick is not here anymore, but we want to keep his memory alive and know that he could still do good for his community," said Terri-Lee Coates.
Not only do the fundraisers generate money for the organization which lobbies against drunk driving, it has raised awareness among a younger generation about the dangers of impaired driving.
"Just think of your family, the victim's family that you could kill, just the lives that you're going to affect because you can avoid it," said Terri-Lee Coates. "No one should lose a loved one, especially one so young."
The third annual car show will be held Aug. 23 at the Confederation Building in St. John's.
"He will always be remembered as a great friend, and of the good times we shared with him," said Edition 709 member Corey Prosser.
"Our show will go on as long as it can, to help support families and raise awareness to prevent such tragedies."
Edition 709's goal is to hit the $50,000 mark this year in combined with money raised from the last two shows.
