A driver jailed after fatally crushing two people who had stopped to exchange details after a prang on a major bridge says he is deeply sorry for the victims' families.
Amy Lim, 25, and Hongyi Zhang, 40, had got out of their cars to exchange details on Sydney's Anzac Bridge shortly before midnight on December 2, 2022.
Adeeb Sukkar, 43, was speeding and on his way to a casino when his car slammed into the back of Ms Lim's vehicle, crushing her and Mr Zhang, who both died from significant injuries at the scene.
Sukkar was sentenced on Wednesday to a maximum of five years in jail with a non-parole period of two years and six months.
He will be eligible for release on May 8, 2027.
In a statement addressed to the victim's families, portions of which the judge read in court on Wednesday, Sukkar said no punishment could make up for the loss of their loved ones.
"My driving was dangerous and inexcusable," he said.
"I don't blame you for hating me.
"I feel this way about myself because of my selfish actions."
NSW District Court Chief Judge Sarah Huggett accepted Sukkar was genuinely remorseful but said the manner of his driving at the time posed a significant danger to the community.
He was travelling at almost 20km/h over the speed limit and changed lanes from behind a van without indicating just prior to the crash.
"I am satisfied Mr Sukkar drove at a speed that was particularly excessive given the circumstances," Judge Huggett said.
"It is not a case where his dangerous driving was momentary.
"He changed lanes without indicating in circumstances where he could not see ... what was ahead of him."
Sukkar was shocked to find the two dead people between the vehicles when he got out of his car at the scene, the court was told.
"Where did those two people come from?” he was recorded saying to police.
"There’s two f***ing people.
“I got out, I thought it was an accident and there’s a body right there.”
Sukkar's barrister Greg Stanton earlier argued the actions of Ms Lim and Mr Zhang in stopping to exchange details where they did contributed to their deaths.
But Judge Huggett rejected the submission, saying drivers are expected to be prepared for dangers to arise on roadways at any time.
"The fact is Mr Sukkar chose to drive at the speed he did," she said.
"The deceased did not contribute to Mr Sukkar's decision to drive as he did."
Speaking outside court, Sukkar's lawyer Elias Tabchouri described the sentence as "fair" saying his client remains deeply remorseful over the incident which has ruined his life.
"Mr Sukkar is not your normal criminal," Mr Tabchouri said.
"We all drive. Sometimes we make errors on the road.
"In this case, unfortunately, two people died and Mr Sukkar has always expressed his remorse and sorrow for that."
Prosecutors previously revealed in court Sukkar had been warned by police about the dangers of speeding 10 days earlier in the same location, and under very similar circumstances.
However, Judge Huggett found there was no evidence Sukkar was actually speeding on that occasion, saying the incident would not be given any weight in sentencing him.
The court was also told Sukkar had a history of driving offences dating back to 2000, including four speeding fines.
In a victim impact statement, Amy Lim's older sister Anna said she was told her badly injured sibling clung to life for five minutes following the collision.
"Apparently she was really trying hard to stay alive," Anna Lim said in her statement, which was read to the court on her behalf.
"I hope that everyone will cherish their loved ones."
