A Camperdown truck driver with ice in his system plowed his prime mover into large trees during an 11-hour stint behind the wheel.
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Luke Taralaikov, 38, of Cemetery Road, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to careless driving, speeding, theft, possessing methamphetamine, six counts of driving while disqualified and other driving-related offences.
He was jailed for 14 months with a non-parole period of seven months. He was also fined $6550 and his driver's licence was disqualified for 18 months.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Kevin Mullins said the charges related to a number of incidents between November 2017 and January 2019.
He said on November 15, 2017 Taralaikov was driving a prime mover carrying 110 pine posts and 208 specialised strainers to a vineyard.
He left Terang at 1.05am and drove 150 kilometres to Stawell, where here purchased diesel before travelling a further 306 kilometres to Robinvale.
He unloaded the truck before returning to Stawell.
Then at 11.57am Taralaikov was driving south on the Stawell-Donald Road. He fell asleep at the wheel before crossing the north bound lane and colliding with a number of large gum trees.
Police attended the scene at 12.11pm. Taralaikov was found trapped inside the truck with blood streaming from his head and right leg.
He was extricated from the car, placed in an induced coma and airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital with critical injuries to his head, pelvis and legs.
A blood test taken at the hospital revealed he had ice in his system. He has since been released from hospital.
A search of the truck revealed two grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe.
Police said Taralaikov failed to make any entries into his work diary on the day of the collision and had driven 11 hours without a regular rest.
The diary also revealed he had worked for more than the maximum allowed work time on three occasions, including two 13.25-hour stints in a 24-hour period.
He was interviewed by Camperdown police on April 6, 2018 and his licence was disqualified.
Leading Senior Constable Mullins said Taralaikov was caught driving without a licence on six occasions between November, 2018 and February this year.
He said he was also caught stealing a purse that the victim dropped on the ground at Camperdown BP Roadhouse in June.
Taralaikov gave the victim's bank card to a friend, who used it to purchase cigarettes and food.
Barrister Timothy Sullivan said Taralaikov suffered an acquired brain injury and was not the person he was before the collision.
He said his client no longer used drugs and had the support of his family.
Taralaikov has served 15 days in custody on remand.