A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting that he drove while intoxicated and caused a crash that killed his close friend on the New South Wales Far South Coast.

Edward James McCoid was sentenced in Bega District Court on 23 October 2026 after pleading guilty to aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death. The crash occurred on Sapphire Coast Drive at Tura Beach on 21 June 2025. His passenger, 46-year-old Ritchie Faulkner, later died from his injuries in hospital.

The court heard that McCoid lost control of the vehicle while overtaking a car towing a boat. The vehicle reportedly became airborne before rolling more than 60 metres along the roadside. Both men suffered serious injuries in the crash.

McCoid was taken to hospital in Canberra, while Faulkner was transported to South East Regional Hospital in Bega. Faulkner later died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Police alleged McCoid's blood alcohol concentration could have been as high as 0.25 when he was driving. The incident became the subject of a criminal investigation, and McCoid subsequently faced court over his actions.

During sentencing, the judge described the incident as tragic and highlighted the seriousness of choosing to drive while intoxicated. The court also heard that McCoid had a long history of problematic alcohol use and had undertaken rehabilitation programs, but had relapsed.

The judge said the community needed protection while also emphasising the importance of rehabilitation. McCoid was encouraged to address his alcohol dependence and find healthier ways of managing his anxiety rather than turning to alcohol. Family Left With Lasting Grief Faulkner's family described him as a warm, outgoing person who brought relatives and friends together. His sister, Valley Mein, remembered him as the person who helped hold the family together.

In a victim impact statement, she described the loss as devastating and said the family had been left with profound grief.

Faulkner's son, Jack, told the court he had lost not only his father but also his best friend. His daughter, Kaylah Harlow, described the emotional pain of losing him and the reminders that continue to bring her to tears.

The family’s statements highlighted the lasting consequences of the crash beyond the immediate loss of life. Faulkner had been a former high school teacher and a grandfather, and his death left a significant gap in the lives of those closest to him. Sentence and Parole Eligibility McCoid received a six-year prison sentence, with a non-parole period that makes him eligible to apply for parole in May 2030. Eligibility does not guarantee release; any decision will depend on the relevant parole authority.

The case serves as a stark reminder that driving under the influence can have irreversible consequences for drivers, passengers and families. Police and road-safety authorities consistently warn that alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and vehicle control.

For Faulkner’s family, the court outcome cannot undo the loss. Their statements made clear that the consequences of a single decision to drive while intoxicated will continue long after the sentence has been imposed.