A sleeping driver who collided with a rider on the Great Alpine Road at Cobungra last year, and continued driving, has been jailed for three years.
Andrew Sandy, 26, from Swift Creek received a two-year sentence for dangerous driving causing death and a one-year sentence for failing to stop and render assistance.
Sandy, who pleaded guilty, struck and killed Greg Burley, 62, from Kangaroo Point in Queensland, who was on an organised group ride.
The Court was told that Sandy, a contractor, had driven his orange Ford Ranger to Mt Hotham at 4am on 12 February to view the sunrise.
On his way back he began to feel sleepy before crashing into Mr Burley at about 8.30am. He continued to drive to his home, and remained there until he was arrested by police.
At the time of the collision, Mr Burley had dropped about 500m behind the rest of his group. The group was waiting for Mr Burley when it witnessed the Ford Ranger crash into him.
One group member was a doctor and provided medical care, but the remote location meant it took road and air ambulances 30 to 40 minutes to arrive.
Judge John Smallwood told Bairnsdale Court the initial crime was caused by Sandy's decision to continue driving, even though he felt tired and considered pulling over.
"He made the decision to keep going, obviously realising what the consequences could be and that's what the law's all about," he said.
"To drive in a situation where there's a significant risk of tiredness ... just can't be allowed to occur.
"No sentence that I impose can bring a person back after they've been killed in such a way."
Become our friend
Find out more about Bicycle Network and support us in making it easier for people to ride bikes.