A Sydney truck driver who caused a fiery crash on Bulli Pass while high on the drug ice was busted driving under the influence of methamphetamine for a second time less than two months later.
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Magistrate Michael Stoddart said Minh Thien Ho was lucky he didn't kill himself or anyone else when his 25-tonne freight truck lost its brakes and collided with a power pole, parked car, and several fences and road signs while descending Bulli Pass on the afternoon of March 25.
The truck then hit the median concrete barrier with such force it caused it the vehicle to become airborne, before crashing into other cars on the opposite side of the road and landing on its side.
Ho, 30, was able to free himself from the wreckage before the truck bust into flames.
A set of agreed facts tendered to Wollongong Local Court said a witness driving in the opposite direction had to slam on their brakes and reverse quickly to avoid a collision with the out-of-control truck.
A blood sample taken at hospital showed Ho was under the influence of methylamphetamine and had enough in his body so that his "driving would have been impaired".
Ho subsequently plead guilty to negligent driving and driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.
In court on Friday, police revealed Ho had a shocking traffic record which alarmingly included a second incident of drug-driving on May 1.
"That happens after this [the Bulli Pass] incident...after nearly causing a fatality," Magistrate Stoddart said.
"This is about as serious as it gets without someone being killed or seriously injured.
"I think you're very lucky you're still alive, as are other members of the community.
"Do you understand how serious this matter is?"
Ho, who represented himself in court, said he would take "full responsibility with whatever punishment you give me".
Magistrate Stoddart sentenced Ho to 12 months' jail, with a 9-month non-parole period and disqualified him from driving for three years.