Truck driver who knew he had faulty brakes when he slammed into a hero cop and killed her is sentenced to four years behind bars
- Driver Samandeep Singh, 30, fatally hit Constable D'Arne De Leo, 45, in 2017
- Singh's truck was not roadworthy and he knowingly drove with faulty rear breaks
- He was sentenced to up to four years in jail for dangerous driving causing death
- Surviving family members say they suffer through a lifetime sentence of grief
A truck driver who knowingly drove with faulty breaks when he slammed into a police officer has been jailed for four years.
Samandeep Singh, 30, fatally hit First Constable D'Arne De Leo, 45, as she drove her motorbike to work near the Eastern Freeway in Wantirna in Melbourne's East on January 12, 2017.
Singh's truck wasn't roadworthy and he knew the rear brakes weren't working. The front brakes were also compromised because the vehicle was loaded incorrectly.
He used his exhaust and emergency brakes in an attempt to stop but rolled down a hill and smashed into Const De Leo's bike at a Wantirna intersection.
The former truck driver was sentenced to up to four years in jail for dangerous driving causing death at the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday.
Truck driver Samandeep Singh (left), 30, fatally hit First Constable D'Arne De Leo (right), 45, as she drove her motorbike to work near the Eastern Freeway in Wantirna in Melbourne's East on January 12, 2017
Judge Michael Tinney said in his sentencing Singh could and should have stopped as soon as he realised his brakes were faulty.
'You knew you were driving a sizeable truck with a 13-tonne load. You knew the brakes were not working effectively,' the judge said.
'You hoped to finish the job and then report the issues.'
Singh received his heavy vehicle licence after a one-day training course. The company he worked for, Ermes Transport, had a shoddy maintenance record.
He initially denied knowing the brakes didn't work properly, but pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death after his planned trial was delayed repeatedly.
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Singh's mental health has deteriorated significantly and he has tattooed reminders of Const De Leo, including her police number, all over his body.
He has post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, traits of a personality disorder and has tried to take his own life more than once.
'This will sound strange to say in a case involving such a tragedy as this one does, but you ruminate on this tragedy probably too much for your own good,' Judge Tinney said, referring to Singh's numerous tattoos.
'I have no doubt you're deeply sorry another person has died and by virtue of your criminal act.'
Police investigate the crash site after Singh hit Ms De Leo in January, 2017
Singh outside of court in November, 2017. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and was sentenced to four years in jail on Tuesday
'Nothing I can do, no sentence I can lawfully impose will do anything to restore the De Leo family unit,' Judge Tinney said before handing down Singh's sentence.
The truck driver was sentenced to four years in jail and must spend two years and four months behind bars before being eligible for parole in September 2022.
Singh has already spent 151 days in pre-sentence detention and is likely to be deported to India upon his release from jail.
While Singh could be released on parole in 2022, Ms De Leo's surviving family say they're serving a life sentence of grief.
Ms De Leo's partner-of 13-years Krisztina Toth said she is relieved to finally see justice served more than three years later.
'At the end of the day we're all serving a lifetime sentence,' Ms Toth said outside the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday.
'I'm really glad it's over and we've got justice for her.'
Ms De Leo's partner-of 13-years Krisztina Toth (right) said she is relieved to finally see justice served more than three years later
Ms Toth said she wanted her partner to be remembered as a 'kind, loving, beautiful person'.
Const De Leo's mother, Jan, had cancer and did not survive to see her daughter get justice.
'She so desperately wanted to be present as a voice for her daughter,' Judge Tinney said.
The police officer's father, Patrick, earlier said he did not hate or want revenge on Singh.
The police officer's father, Patrick (pictured), earlier said he did not hate or want revenge on Singh
