Jul 10, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Jeff Mitchell

OSHAWA -- A Bowmanville man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after his "inexplicable" decision to drive while drunk resulted in the death of a much-admired Whitby teacher.

But Michael Holliday, 26, remains a free man for the time being. Ontario Court Justice Mary Teresa Devlin agreed with a request to defer imposition of the sentence until September so he can arrange his affairs before being imprisoned.

Mr. Holliday pleaded guilty June 4 to impaired driving causing death, failing to stop and refusing to provide a breath sample after a crash that killed 58-year-old Patricia Gostlin of Whitby, a well-known teacher with the Durham Catholic school board and an election candidate for the Green Party. Court heard Mr. Holliday was speeding north on Park Road in Oshawa just before midnight on Oct. 25, 2008 when he ran a red light at John Street and slammed into Ms. Gostlin's car.

Mr. Holiday was apprehended by Durham police after he tried to flee the scene on foot.

In delivering judgment Thursday Justice Devlin said the crash has been devastating for the families of both Ms. Gostlin and Mr. Holliday, a married father of three young children. The judge lamented Mr. Holliday's "inexplicable" decision to leave a friend's house where he'd been drinking and watching a hockey game and drive off in his van.

And she verged on tears as she read from victim impact statements written by Ms. Gostlin's loved ones.

"What happened to Michael Holliday illustrates the powerful influence of alcohol on a person's judgment," Justice Devlin said.

"Michael Holliday will have to live with the devastating consequences of his actions for the rest of his life, which on its own is a life sentence."

Mr. Holliday was given a prison term of three years for the impaired driving causing death charge and an additional six months for failing to remain. A 30-day sentence for refusing to provide a breath sample to police will be served concurrently. He's also prohibited from driving for five years.

Mr. Holliday is to surrender himself to begin serving his sentence Sept. 10.

Outside court George Perry, Ms. Gostlin's partner of 16 years, said any sentence given Mr. Holliday "would never be enough".

Mr. Perry said he'll lobby politicians to change laws so that convicted drunk drivers begin serving their driving prohibitions after they're released from jail, rather than having most of the terms elapse while they're in custody.