Jeffrey Haynes: Epping man sentenced over Fulham crash that seriously injured victim

A Gippsland drug driver has been sentenced over a horror crash that left a father of six “contemplating suicide” and unable to use the toilet on his own.

A Gippsland drug driver has been sentenced to jail for causing a horror crash that left a father of six “contemplating suicide” and unable to use the toilet on his own.

Jeffrey Haynes from Epping was sentenced to nine months jail and a three-year community corrections order in County Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to negligently causing serious injury.

The court heard Haynes was returning to his Epping address in May last year when he “fell asleep” and swerved onto the wrong side of the road for about 1.3km before crashing into his 58-year-old victim, John Csillag.

Mr Csillag had five surgeries in nine days and now has type 2 diabetes.

The once-social man said the crash had robbed him, his wife and his kids of their lives.

He said he had received a “life sentence” and would not be able to teach his daughter how to ride a bike.

“After the crash I contemplated suicide,” Mr Csillag said.

“I can’t jump off the couch and chase the kids without a second thought, the spontaneous, infectious fun is no longer an option.”

Judge John Smallwood said Haynes has begun rehabilitation and expressed “true remorse” for his actions.

In a police interview Haynes said he didn’t “remember anything” after Yarragon but thinks he fell asleep.

The Epping man was on bail for drug charges and returned a result of 0.04 milligrams per litre of methamphetamine after the crash.

Haynes now suffers from anxiety and depression.

Judge Smallwood said the crash was not “deliberate” but rather a “negligent piece of driving”.

“Jail would be harder for you than a person of firm disposition,” he said.

Haynes also lost his licence for 24 months.