The 26-year-old man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the hit-and-run killing of mixed-martial-arts fighter Ryan Jimmo will serve eight years in prison and lose the ability to drive for eight years following.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Paul Belzil Monday morning sentenced Anthony Getschel to six years for manslaughter, with another two years added for fleeing the June 2016 scene near 101 Street, in what he described as a “complete tragedy.”

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“One man died for nothing. Absolutely nothing,” Belzil told the courtroom filled with friends and family of both Jimmo and Getschel.

Jimmo — a 34-year-old MMA fighter — was visiting the city with his girlfriend, having previously lived in Edmonton before relocating to Arizona.

“I am numb. Sometimes we can’t watch TV, we can’t sleep, eat, hear a certain song,” Linda Jimmo, Ryan’s mother, told court in a victim impact statement. “Ryan, you never told me how I was supposed to live without you for the rest of my life. When you died, so much of us died too.”

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Belzil accepted the eight-year joint submission plea, citing the fact that the accused had no prior criminal record, turned himself in within 48 hours and showed deep remorse. He also had stable employment, is in a committed relationship and has two baby boys who were in attendance, court heard.

“I’m very sorry for the pain that I caused,” Getschel told court, addressing Jimmo’s family with tears in his eyes. “I’ll never be able to forgive myself for what happened.”

Belzil said Getschel’s actions were senseless the night of Jimmo’s death and “leaves one shaking one’s head.”

Getschel struck Jimmo with his truck and then fled the scene, hid the vehicle and reported his licence plate as stolen, according to an agreed statement of facts previously heard in court. He turned himself into police around 1 a.m. on June 28.

Around 2 a.m. on June 26, Getschel pulled up behind Jimmo’s Jeep driving west along Whyte Avenue. Jimmo thought the truck had been driving aggressively, and pulled into the strip mall parking lot to confront the driver.

Getschel pulled up behind and Jimmo got out to “slap” the driver’s side window and challenge the two men to a fight. The two men stayed in the truck, court documents said.

Jimmo was returning to his Jeep when the vehicle sped up, steering around the driver’s side and driving over a pair of concrete parking curbs before striking Jimmo and dragging him in front of the Jeep. He died in hospital as a result of blunt force trauma.

Conditions to the sentence also include an eight-year driving prohibition after release, which was contested by the defence as being too lengthy for not having a prior driving record and the importance of a vehicle for employment needs.

But Belzil ruled Getschel fleeing the scene in his vehicle after striking Jimmo was “extremely concerning” and required a lengthy penalty.

Getschel, who was out on bail and driving with conditions, surrendered his driver’s licence in court.