Truck driver behind Eastern Freeway crash that killed four police officers has jail sentence reduced
The truck driver who killed four police officers when he crashed a 19-tonne semi-trailer into them on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway has had his jail sentence slashed on appeal.
Mohinder Singh, 49, was sleep-deprived and high on drugs when he veered into a service lane and crashed the truck into the Victoria Police officers, who had pulled over Porsche driver Richard Pusey for speeding.
The 22-year jail sentence Singh had been dealt for the crash in July 2021 was cut to 18 years and six months' jail before Victoria's Court of Appeal on Thursday morning.
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Truck driver Mohinder Singh has had his jail sentence reduced. Nine
Mohinder Singh arriving at the Melbourne Supreme Court for his plea hearing in March 2021. Jason South
He was also handed a new non-parole period of 14 years and six months, down from the 18-and-a-half-year period that was previously set.
Singh's barrister Peter Morrissey argued before the court last month that the 22-year jail sentence handed to Singh in July 2021 was "manifestly excessive".
Morrissey told the court the sentence did not give enough weight to Singh's early plea of guilty, his remorse and his psychological disorders.
Morrissey also argued Singh's non-parole period was too long and that his client had some prospects for rehabilitation.
Singh pleaded guilty to four counts of culpable driving causing death, three counts of drug trafficking and other charges in March 2021 following the horrific crash on April 23, 2020.
Kevin King, Joshua Prestney, Lynette Taylor and Glen Humphris were all killed in the line of duty. Victoria Police
The crash claimed the lives of Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, and constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney.
Families of the four police officers attended the appeal hearing.
The secretary of The Police Association Victoria, Wayne Gatt, shared a statement saying police will find the decision "difficult".
"This man may now be afforded additional days of freedom. Not a single extra day can be added to the lives of our four fallen members," he said via statement.
"That is something many police will find difficult to grapple with."
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