Truckie gets three years

A TRUCK driver who hit and killed a prominent vet as he cycled on a southern Queensland road has been sentenced to three years jail.

Geoffrey Joseph Sleba struck vet Martin Pearson near Warwick on Anzac Day 2014. A jury found the 47-year-old guilty of the dangerous operation of a vehicle in February but acquitted him of leaving the scene, believing his account that he did not realise he had hit him.

Brisbane District Court Judge Leanne Clare said yesterday Dr Pearson was in Sleba’s line of sight for 13 seconds before the collision and said the vet was wearing a fluorescent vest and white helmet when he was hit on a sunny day about 3.15pm.

Sleba, who had a long history of speeding, was given three years jail. But it will be suspended after 13 months. Sleba’s driver’s licence was also disqualified for two years.