The crash claimed the lives of two people, including Tom Spiess. (Supplied)
Speaking exclusively to the ABC, the widow of Thomas Spiess, killed in a horrific crash at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway on August 18, 2014, says she is relieved court proceedings are finally over.
Jan Spiess says her husband's death and the lengthy court proceedings had greatly impacted her two daughters.
Ms Spiess says she had not even been able to access a death certificate while proceedings were afoot.
The widow of a man killed in a horrific crash at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway says she is relieved court proceedings are finally over but does not believe the stretch of road is safe enough.
Thomas Spiess, 56, was killed in 2014 after an out-of-control sewage truck collided with his vehicle.
The truck reached speeds of 151.9km/h before ploughing into the busy intersection.
Jacqueline Byrne, 41 was also killed in the crash, and then-Cleanaway truck driver Darren Hicks and motorist Louise Compton were injured.
Mr Hicks — who lost a leg in the crash and went on to become a Paralympic gold medallist — was initially charged over the crash, but the charges were dropped in 2018 and he later gave evidence against Cleanaway.
Darren Hicks (left) leaving court today with his lawyer Mark Twiggs. (ABC News: Rebecca Opie)
Speaking exclusively to the ABC, Jan Spiess said she had not even been able to access a death certificate for her late husband while proceedings were afoot.
"The legal system has dragged it out too long, that's been a disappointment," she said.
Ms Spiess said despite safety improvements to the intersection, she believed it was still a very dangerous stretch of road.
"When you're sitting at that intersection at a light or you're driving through it and passing through it, look up," she said.
She said she suffered PTSD as a result of the crash and the way she learned of her husband's death.
