Eastern Freeway crash trucking company boss may face jail after being found guilty of diligence breach

A manager at the trucking company involved in the horror Eastern Freeway crash in which four police officers were killed may face two years in jail after a landmark ruling.

A senior manager at the trucking company involved in the Eastern Freeway crash that claimed the lives of four police officers is facing up to two years in prison following a landmark court ruling.

Cris Large, the national operations manager of Sydney-based Connect Logistics, was on Monday found guilty of breaching their primary duty as an operator in connection to the April 2020 crash which killed Senior Constables Lynette Taylor, Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Joshua Prestney.

The offence is the most serious under Heavy Vehicle National Law, with Mr Large now facing a prison sentence of up to two years.

He will be sentenced at Downing Centre Court in NSW on January 23, 2024.

Cris Large, the national operations manager of Sydney-based Connect Logistics, has been found guilty of breaching his diligence as an operator in connection to Eastern Freeway crash. Picture: Aaron Francis

The charges were laid by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) in September 2021 following an extensive investigation led by Victoria Police through Taskforce Paragon.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Raymond Hassall said the landmark ruling sends a strong message to executives across the heavy vehicle industry that their obligation is to keep all road users safe.

NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said executives must have procedures in place to ensure drivers are fit to drive.

“We urge all companies to review what they have in place to manage the fatigue of their drivers. Is it working, is it effective?” Ms Hughes said.

“Fatigue is a serious issue that can result in significant injury or death. It is your legal duty to support your drivers in their fatigue management.”

Mohinder Singh was high on methamphetamine and hadn’t slept for days prior to getting behind the wheel of the 20-tonne rig which collided with the officers during a routine intercept of Porsche driver Richard Pusey on the freeway.

Truck driver Mohinder Singh was high on methamphetamine and hadn’t slept for days prior to getting behind the wheel of the 20-tonne rig. Picture: David Crosling

Investigators scoured Connect Logistics’ workplace safety practices following the disaster and found multiple breaches, including drivers working dangerously long hours.

Signs that Singh was unfit to drive in the lead-up to the crash were also ignored.

His boss Simiona Tuteru was previously charged with manslaughter over the officers’ deaths.

He was accused of allowing Singh to get behind the wheel while fatigued and under the influence of drugs.

The manslaughter charges against Tuteru were dropped last year, with Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry later granting a permanent stay on the remaining charge of failing to comply with a duty under the heavy vehicle national law.

However the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August, meaning Tuteru could be forced to stand trial.