Parramatta District Court. Sentencing of Sarmad Nisan, a truck driver who crashed into a series of cars at Pittwater Road, Dee Why

Sarmad Shamon Nisan, 42, gave no reaction as Judge Deborah Payne sentenced him to four years with three years non-parole saying he had “demonstrated an abandonment of responsibility” when he ignored road signs telling truck drivers to slow down on a notoriously steep descent on the Northern Beaches.

Parramatta District Court sentencing of Sarmad Nisan, a truck driver who crashed into a series of cars at Pittwater Road, Dee Why. Picture: Peter KellySource:News Corp Australia

The speeding truck driver injured six people when his vehicle tipped and ploughed into several cars. Picture: John GraingerSource:News Corp Australia

Nisan, was travelling 45km/h over the speed limit for a heavy vehicle when his 19.5 tonne truck tipped at the bottom of a descent on Warringah Road in October 2014.

Shocking CCTV of the crash showed the out-of-control truck speed into an intersection at Pittwater Road and tip over, crushing cars stopped at a set of traffic lights.

The scene after the truck overturned on Pittwater Road at Dee Why. Picture: John GraingerSource:News Corp Australia

The scene where Nisan’s truck crashed into stationary traffic at the corner of Warringah Rd and Pittwater Rd, Dee Why. Picture: Braden Fastier.Source:News Corp Australia

Two police officers heading to work, Amy Champion, then 27, and her housemate and colleague James McClenaghan, 29, were both seriously injured.

Ms Champion had a broken shoulder, six broken ribs, deep cuts to her arm, broken teeth and a traumatic brain injury from the crash and spent months in rehabilitation.

Victim Tim Sikma in RNSH after the crash. Picture: John GraingerSource:News Corp Australia

Mr McClenaghan also sustained a head injury as well as a severe burn to his ankle which required a skin graft.

Following a judge-alone trial last year, Nisan was found guilty of two counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.

At the trial Nisan claimed the brakes were faulty but this was rejected by Judge Payne who ruled the evidence suggested there was no mechanical fault.

On sentencing Nisan at Parramatta District Court this morning Judge Payne said Nisan was familiar with the steep descent and gave no explanation as to why he did not obey the “frequent and repeated” road signs warning truck drivers to slow down.

“For whatever reason he didn’t apply what the signs directed to be his manner of driving.”

Judge Payne noted the Crown’s submission that Nisan’s decision to “travel almost twice the speed limit and in the wrong gear at the most critical point” (of the descent) was a “gross departure from the driving expected of a prudent truck driver”.

“I am firmly of the view that the circumstances demonstrated an abandonment of responsibility,” Judge Payne said.

Off-duty police officer Amy Champion, who suffered sever brain injuries in the crash, outside Parramatta District Court after the sentencing of Nisan this morning.Source:News Corp Australia

One of the victims, Amy Champion, smiled broadly as she left court following the sentence.

She had previously described to the court her gruelling recovery from the traumatic brain injury she received in the crash which left her “like a new born baby” who had to relearn to say her name and her birthday.

Judge Payne said what she had suffered was “truly terrible.”

“The impact will remain with her for the rest of her life,” she said.

Judge Payne said although she believed Nisan had not shown remorse he had reasonable prospects for rehabilitation.

The court heard the Iraqi Christian had migrated from the Middle East in 2009 and had been driving for five years before the crash.

He was supported in court by several family members.

Taking into account time already spent in custody, Nisan will be eligible for parole on April 3, 2020.

Sarmad Nisan leaves the emergency department at Royal North Shore Hospital after the crash on 21 October 2014. Picture: Bradley HunterSource:News Corp Australia