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Father hugs truck driver jailed for killing daughter

Hume Highway deaths: Father hugs truck driver jailed for killing daughter

The father of a woman killed by a truck driver on the Hume Highway in New South Wales has hugged his daughter’s killer as he was sentenced to time in prison.

Kaine Barnett has been handed a three-year jail term after he was last month found guilty of dangerous driving over the deaths of 23-year-old university student Sarah Frazer and 40-year-old tow truck driver Geoffrey Clarke.

Ms Frazer was on her way to start university in Wagga Wagga when her car broke down on the highway at Berrima in February 2012.

Mr Clarke was loading her car onto his tow truck when Barnett, who was distracted by looking in his rear-vision mirror and reaching for his water bottle, hit them, killing both instantly.

During the sentencing hearing, Justice Stephen Hanley acknowledged Barnett was distracted, but he had failed in his obligation to check the road ahead was clear.

Justice Hanley also said Barnett’s moral culpability went beyond mild inattention.

In a rare act of compassion, Mr Frazer hugged Barnett before he was led from the court.

“We don’t hate him, we feel so sorry he has to go through this, the rest of his life is ruined,” he said.

Mr Frazer hopes the sentence for his daughter’s killer serves as a lesson for other motorists, to pay attention on the roads.

“It has to act as a signal to the rest of the community. You’ve got to change your habits,” he said.

“Get rid of your phone. Stop reading while you’re driving and try to protect each other.

“The concept of drive so others survive has to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”

The 26-year-old will be eligible for parole in 18 months.

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-24/truck-driver-sentenced-to-three-years-for-hume-highway-fatal/5409014?WT.mc_id=newsmail

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