Truck driver Daniel Scaife jailed for running red light at Para Hills, crashing into family

A distracted truck driver with an appalling record behind the wheel has been jailed after he ran a red light and crashed into a family car. Watch the dashcam.

A northern suburbs truck driver who ran a red light and crashed into a family’s car had 29 convictions for driving offences – and was busted drink driving after the near-fatal collision, a court has heard.

Daniel William Scaife, 47, from Smithfield, appeared in District Court in front of Judge Jane Schammer for sentencing on Monday after pleading guilty to five counts of causing harm by dangerous driving over the Para Hills crash in 2022.

The family of Daniel Scaife leaves court on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

Former truck driver Daniel William Scaife leaves court after an earlier appearance. Picture: Leah Smith

The impact after the crash at Para Hills. Picture: Supplied

Judge Schammer said it was “through sheer good fortune no one was killed” after one of his victims – Alan Mills, 77 – died on impact and was revived at the scene.

Mr Mills’ three grandchildren and his daughter, who were in the car, were all taken to hospital.

“There is no dispute that when your truck entered the intersection, the traffic lights applicable to you had been red for approximately five seconds,” she said.

“The reason you did not see those lights and continued to drive through the intersection was because you were distracted, looking at directions for your next delivery.

“Mr Mills sustained multiple life-threatening injuries (but) fortunately he received immediate care at the scene from a trauma doctor but was able to be revived.

“Jodie Mills (Mr Mills’ daughter) had to be cut free from her seatbelt and helped from the vehicle. Put simply, it was a miracle no one was killed in the impact.”

Scaife’s truck collided with the Mills family’s car at the intersection of Kester Rd and Bridge Rd on July 19.

The court previously heard Mr Mills suffered broken bones all over his body, including ribs, both collarbones, shoulder blade, shoulder, neck and skull, as well as multiple punctures to his lungs, brain damage and lingering paralysis to the left side of his body.

Daniel Scaife’s truck ploughs into the Mills’ family car. Picture: Courts Administration Authority

One of Mr Mills’ grandchildren suffered a fractured skull and brain bleeding.

On Monday, the court heard Mr Mills “spent many weeks” confined to bed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and “endured a difficult and long recovery”.

“Mr Mills had to learn how to feed himself, to speak and interact with others, and to walk again,” Judge Schammer said.

“He still suffers paralysis in his left arm and hand which continues to impact significantly on his quality of life, and for which he requires ongoing therapy.

“I accept you sincerely regret your actions on that day and that you are genuinely remorseful.

“While I accept you are genuinely remorseful, your history demonstrates that you’ve not been able to refrain from the commission of driving offences.”

Scaife was sentenced two years, ten months and seven days imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 months, and disqualified from driving for 12 years.

David Moen, for Scaife, told the Advertiser they would be “considering an appeal”.

Scaife’s mother and brother offered no comment outside court.