NSW truckie jailed for minimum of 12 years over Hume Highway triple fatal

A drug-affected NSW truck driver, who killed three people when he slammed into their car on the Hume Highway in 2012, will spend at least 12 years and nine months behind bars.

Vincent Samuel George crashed head on into a red Ford Mondeo being driven by an elderly couple and their son on the Hume Highway at Menangle in January 2012.

Calvin Logan and his parents Patricia and Donald Logan were killed instantly.

George was sentenced in the Sydney District Court on Friday to a maximum 17 years in jail for three counts of manslaughter for the crash near Menangle, southwest of Sydney.

Blood samples taken after the crash revealed George, 36, was affected by methadone and expert evidence showed he had had little rest before the crash.

It was the crown case that his extreme fatigue and use of methadone had impacted his ability to function.

In an interview, taped by police after the crash, George admitted to taking recreational drugs, including speed, “occasionally, on weekends I’m not working”.

The video, previously unreleased for legal reasons, showed George sobbing as he asked the interviewing officers if the families of the deceased had been notified of the crash.

“I can’t stand the thought of killing someone, I just killed someone unintentionally,” he told the officers.

“I don’t even know these people and I’ve ruined their family's life… it's all my fault.”

He was found guilty of three counts of manslaughter in May.

During his sentencing today, Judge Stephen Hanley said George was a drug addict who regularly drove under the influence.

George had "grossly breached his duty of care to other drivers" and it had been "only a matter of time before his driving took a life", Justice Hanley said.

Two prior incidents where George lost consciousness whilst driving should have served as a warning, the court heard.

He will be eligible for parole in mid-2025.