Thomas Kerr didn't see what was ahead of him when he smashed into the back of a group of cyclists during their Autumn morning weekend ride, severely injuring several of them.
He's now facing at least 18 months behind bars after being sentenced on Friday over the March 2014 crash.
Conditions were good when he rounded a bend on Southern Cross Drive at Eastlakes in Sydney's east, early on that Sunday morning.
About 380 metres ahead of him in the left lane were seven cyclists riding in a column wearing colourful nylon gear.
Kerr wasn't speeding or drunk but 17 seconds after turning the corner, he crashed into the back of the group, sending several riders over his car.
Four of the seven cyclists were seriously injured.
One required immediate surgery and a spinal fusion to prevent paraplegia.
Others had fractured ribs, nerve damage and lacerations.
Hans Dean, 49, also sustained back injuries and hasn't been on his bike since the crash, due to his physical and mental state.
Kerr didn't plough into the pack deliberately and immediately went to help the injured riders.
But Judge Brian Knox found he did have significant moral culpability for the crash.
"Significant injuries were caused," he said.
"This is a devastating collision with far-reaching consequences."
During hearings, Kerr's lawyer argued the crash was the result of momentary inattention but Judge Knox said it was more than that.
The court though still couldn't determine "a rational explanation for the cause of the collision," he said.
Kerr was remorseful, Judge Knox found, discounting his sentence by 25 per cent for entering early guilty pleas to the four charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and three of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
Kerr also had several driving offences, including speeding and drink driving, on his record and was serving in the community a sentence for affray at the time of the crash.
"Neither the criminal history or the track record assist him at all," Judge Knox said.
Shortly after sentencing began on Friday morning, Judge Knox warned Kerr that he would be going to jail.
He was given a brief moment before being taken into custody and hugged family and friends who have supported him throughout court proceedings.
Kerr will be eligible for parol in February 2017.
"Drivers need to be aware that they need to pay attention to all traffic on the road," Judge Knox said.
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