Jack William Cameron imprisoned for truck crash

The truck driver responsible for a horrifying head-on crash on a busy Sunshine Coast road has been sentenced as his “appalling” traffic record was revealed. WATCH THE VIDEO

A Sunshine Coast mum has told a court her life will “never return to normal” after a truck carrying 11 tonnes of wet sand collided with her hatchback head-on near the Sunshine Motorway two years ago.

Truck driver, Jack William Cameron, 63, appeared in Maroochydore District Court on Monday, October 9, where he pleaded guilty to dangerously operating a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark told the court Cameron, a truck driver of more than 40 years, had failed to negotiate a turn on the rainy morning of July 9, 2021, while transporting 11 tonnes of wet sand.

“The truck came a round the corner turning left, failed to slow down to safe speed as he approached that turn, lost control of the truck, slid on the wet road over the median concrete divide and colliding head-on with the complainant’s vehicle,” Mr Stark said.

“The complainant’s vehicle was pushed back approximately 15m.”

Mr Stark also told the court Cameron had a significant traffic history, including three speeding offences that occurred after the crash.

Dashcam footage of the crash was played to the court and showed the truck colliding head-on with the victim’s small hatchback after crossing the median strip at the Sunshine Motorway off-ramp near Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba.

A screenshot from footage captured of the crash on July 9, 2021. Picture: Sunshine Coast Mowers

Bystanders could then be seen pulling the victim, who had been pinned in the car by the impact, and her toddler son from the hatchback.

The mum-of-three, who suffered a fractured ankle in the incident, addressed the court on Monday, speaking through tears as she recalled the crash and the impact it had on her family’s lives.

“Placing my son in his car seat, especially on a rainy day is extremely triggering, driving in wet conditions makes me incredibly nervous,” she said.

“I feel a lot of anger and resentment to the driver of the truck that collided with my car because so much has been taken away from me and my children on that day.”

Barrister Mark Dixon told the court there was no evidence Cameron was driving over the speed limit at the time of the crash.

“While I can’t escape there being a significant traffic record, importantly he wasn’t unlicensed or disqualified at the time, he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Mr Dixon said.

District Court judge Glen Cash described Cameron’s traffic record as “appalling”.

“He seems on his record to think the road rules do not apply to him,” Mr Cash said.

Mr Cash sentenced Cameron to two years’ imprisonment, suspended after eight months and disqualified him from driving for three years.