Truck driver Melville Bollen jailed for five years over fatal Dandenong South crash

After 50 years behind the wheel, it took only 19 seconds of inattention to land Melville Bollen in jail.

The 71-year-old truck driver today pleaded guilty to one count of culpable driving causing death and four charges of negligently causing serious injury over a crash that killed 43-year-old train passenger David Cron, when Bollen's truck crashed through boom gates at Dandenong South in 2012.

He was jailed for five years, with a two-and-half year minimum.

The court heard the tragedy occurred due to “19 seconds of inattention after a lifetime of responsible professional driving”.

Three other passengers were injured during the crash, along with Bollen.

Accident reconstruction showed Bollen travelled 266m from the level crossing before become aware of the hazard.

Initially, it was alleged he fell asleep from fatigue but that was later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

“You were not paying anywhere near the attention to your driving,” Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry said during sentencing.

“Why that occurred may remain uncertain.”

But his victim's parents bear no malice.

“He did not expect that to happen he didn't do it intentionally and he's got a lot to live with,” Cron’s father Alex said.