A Canberra father who admitted to negligent driving over a crash that killed his seven-year-old daughter will serve a two-year good behaviour order, and has been banned from driving for a year.
Christopher Ward, 74, was driving with his daughter Acacia in the back seat when he crashed into a light truck in July 2015.
During his sentencing today the court heard of his desperation to save her in the moments after the crash, pulling her from the car and attempting to resuscitate her.
"It is very clear that immediately following the accident his thoughts were only for his daughter," Magistrate Karen Fryar said.
Ward initially fought the charge, saying his vision had been obscured by a sign in the moments before the crash, but he eventually pleaded guilty to negligent driving.
Ms Fryar said Ward had suffered from profound grief and been hospitalised twice since the accident because he was so devastated by the loss of his daughter.
The magistrate took account of the fact it had been an accident, with no drugs or alcohol involved, or unnecessary risks due to dangerous driving.
"It was not a selfish disregard for other road users," she said.
But she said despite this, Ward had been careless on the road.
"I have to find it was more than momentary inattention," she said.
"The defendant simply did not take enough care."
Ward will serve a two-year good behaviour order and has been banned from driving for a year.
