Driver jailed for Melbourne hit-run that killed mother of five Abiol Manyang

A hit-run driver who fatally struck a mother of five and dumped her body on a Melbourne roadside could be out of prison next year.

Thomas Street claimed he was in a state of shock after he hit South Sudaneese community leader Abiol Manyang.

Ms Manyang was crossing Ballarat Road at Ardeer in May last year when Mr Street accidentally hit her.

But instead of helping the Sunday school teacher, the 32-year-old driver continued driving for more than 200 metres, stopping only to remove his victim from his windshield, placing her lifeless body onto the nature strip before fleeing the scene.

Ms Manyang fled the civil war in South Sudan to become a leader of her community in Melbourne.

Judge Peter Lauritson described Street's actions as "cowardly" and "despicable".

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"You dumped her on the side of road as if she was just some worthless animal," he said.

Ms Manyang's death sparked a huge outpouring of grief, with 5000 mourners attending her funeral.

Street - a tyre fitter from Cairnlea - removed his number plates from his Holden Commodore before eventually handing himself in.

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The court heard he has 17 previous convictions for driving offences.

Despite allegedly committing more crimes when he was on bail for this crash, Street says he's since found remorse and God, today wearing a large crucifix around his neck and praying before he was sentenced to two years in prison.

He has already served 92 days and can be considered for release on parole after serving 15 months of his sentence.

He's been disqualified from driving for 5 years.