Man was texting when he hit and killed teacher

VANCOUVER, Wash. - An 18-year-old man was sentenced to five years in prison Friday after he pleaded guilty to hitting and killing a popular high-school teacher with his car while texting and then fleeing the scene.

On Sept. 15, 2009, Antonio Cellestine hit and killed his former Hudson’s Bay High School teacher, 50-year-old Gordon Patterson, as Patterson rode his bicycle south of St. Johns on 41st Street in Vancouver.

In addition to texting, Cellestine said he was also smoking a cigar and had been pushing embers away from his clothes.

Patterson’s children, widow and other family members were in court Friday to hear Cellestine’s sentencing. They expressed forgiveness but also wanted him to know the depth of their loss.

“I never understood loss until I lost my dad, my best friend. Something no one in the whole world can replace,” said Julia Patterson, Gordon’s daughter.

“He was an excellent teacher, excellent son, excellent father, and excellent husband,” said Gordon’s father, Lyle Patterson.

Gordon Patterson taught computer design and led extracurricular groups in science at Hudson’s Bay High School.

Cellestine read a statement in court and said he was sorry he killed his former teacher.

“I dreaded the fact it was Mr. Patterson, the nicest person ever put on this earth,” said Cellestine.

Police who investigated the incident said they doubted Cellestine’s sincerity because they heard no mention of regret on recorded jailhouse tapes.

“The callousness in which he treated the situation: The man you heard in court today, I listened to his voice for several hours that he talked to us. He cried over his dog, he never cried for Mr. Patterson,” said Sgt. Patrick Johns of the Vancouver Police Department.

Police also told the judge that Patterson had done everything right as a bicyclist. He was in a bike lane and wearing a helmet. Police said Patterson was hit from behind.

Patterson’s oldest son, Caleb, gave an impassioned speech in court.

“You murdered my father,” he said. In the next moment, however, he forgave Cellestine.

“I forgive you,” he said. “I forgive this man who caused my father’s death.”

While the family said it hopes Cellestine will change his life, Johns said he has his doubts.

“He went out and partied as soon as he was released and arrested at a party. So it doesn’t seem like actions have changed much,” he said.

Patterson’s widow, Carrie, said words can’t describe her loss. She said her husband was the sole breadwinner and she’s now a single mother with three kids on public assistance.