Truck driver gets six years

Truck driver gets six years

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The scene of the fatal crash on April 15, 2019. Photograph – Aaron Van Rongen.

A Perth truck driver has been sentenced to six years in prison after killing a Perth grandmother in 2019.

On April 15 2019, David West ran through a red light killing Moira Dunstall upon impact.

Ms Dunstall was proceeding through the intersection between Tonkin Highway and Armadale Road when the 39-tonne semi-trailer struck her vehicle.

Mr West was driving up to 100km/h when he entered the intersection three to five seconds after the red light signal.

The court heard that Mr West was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time,

He admitted to taking Viagra the day prior to the accident, impacting his sleep pattern.

In court, it was revealed Mr West had drugs in his system.

“The blood concentration represents evidence that methylamphetamine would have had adverse effects on Mr West’s driving ability at the time of the crash,” said Director of Path West Professor David Joyce in his report to the court.

The judge determined Mr West’s use of methamphetamine combined with an undiagnosed sleep apnoea played a role in impairing his inhibitions.

The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter and has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, with eligibility for parole in less than five years.