‘Complete tragedy’: Truck driver Matthew Livingston jailed for horror collision which killed girl, 2
A truck driver who killed a two-year-old girl in a horrific accident on a major freeway has learnt his fate at court.
A truck driver rear-ended a family car at more than 80kmh, killing a “precious” two-year-old girl and seriously injuring her parents, a court has been told.
Matthew Livingston was sentenced to 12 years and six months’ jail in the County Court on Friday, after pleading guilty earlier in the week to multiple charges, including culpable driving, causing serious injury and placing others at risk of serious injury.
The horror crash, which involved five cars, occurred on the afternoon of December 6 2021 on the Calder Fwy in the suburb of Diggers Rest, to the city’s north.
Livingston, whose truck weighed approximately 43 tonnes, had failed to slow down despite signs warning of an impending 40kph zone, and as he approached the Bulla-Diggers Road overpass collided with the rear of a stationary Volkswagen Tiguan.
Inside the Tiguan was a family of four, who had been visiting the nearby Macedon Ranges where they were considering moving to.
The family’s eldest child, two-year-old Harriet Peckitt, died at the scene, while her parents, Simon Peckitt and Felicity Stewart, endured serious injuries.
During Mr Livingston’s two-day plea hearing earlier in the week, the court heard that Ms Stewart could not be told of her daughter’s death during her 54 days of post-traumatic amnesia on the advice of doctors.
That hearing also heard that dashcam footage from another motorist showed Livingston’s truck swerving on the Calder Fwy about twenty minutes prior to the fatal collision, including a passage where he travels over the left fog line for about eight seconds.
“The impact of your crime will be felt forever,” Judge Tinney told Livingston.
He described the crime as a “disastrous and totally avoidable event.”
“What a complete tragedy, and all of it owing to you.”
Judge Tinney said he found Livingston to be remorseful.
“You will never forget the day you killed Harriet.”
Livingston, from the country town of Donald, had been working in a local biscuit factory prior to his incarceration.
His lawyer, Phillip Bloeman, said earlier in the week that Livingston had been a “hardworking and contributing member of the community” throughout his life.
Livingston, 44, will be eligible for parole after seven-and-a-half years.