A DRIVER who killed a Wagga father-of-three in a head-on crash on the Olympic Highway will spend at least four years behind bars.
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Shannon Devos was in a Mitsubishi Magna he had stolen from a Lavington unit when he crashed into Bill Hardman's Mazda CX-5.
The collision, which occurred at Table Top on August 14, 2018, was so serious that Devos, 26, was charged with manslaughter.
He was travelling at least 45km/h above the limit and was trapped inside the stolen vehicle after the crash.
On Friday, the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney sentenced Devos to a maximum of six years' jail.
Mr Hardman's funeral was held at Sacred Heart Church on Lake Albert Road about two weeks after the tragedy.
The 44-year-old was married to Amanda and was the father of three sons: Joshua, Mitchell and Isaac.
Family and friends remembered him as a hard-working family man who had friendly manners and a ready smile for everyone.
He was well-known for his community work, particularly at his sons' schools - Sacred Heart Primary School and Mater Dei Catholic College - and at the Wagga Magpies Junior Rugby League Club.
Having had a career in banking with Suncorp and NAB, Mr Hardman had been working for the Australian Military Bank before the tragedy.
In August last year, the bank's Bernadette Gates said that while Mr Hardman was only with the bank for a short time, he "was a fabulous person" with "close links to his community".
Family and friends also remembered Mr Hardman as a passionate rugby league fan.
Mr Hardman attended what was Trinity Senior High School in Wagga and many members of his extended family live in Wagga.
Tributes and condolences were also posted on social media. One person described him as being "happy go lucky" while offering messages of support to his family.
Devos, who stole the car only a few hundred metres from his place, will be eligible for parole on December 13, 2022.
