The man behind the wheel of the truck which was embroiled in last Monday's Midland Highway horror crash has described the incident as the "worst day" of his life.
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Luke Williams took to social media to reflect on the crash that his father said left him "traumatised" and "struggling" in its immediate wake.
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"On Monday I experienced by far, the worst day of my life," Mr Williams said.
"I want you to take it as a reminder of how precious life is. When you leave your home to go about your day, take five extra seconds to hold those you love. Take it in and really appreciate it, because it can be taken from you, thru [sic] no fault of your own in a second."
Mr Williams was driving south towards Hobart along the Midland Highway just out of Campbell Town when the crash happened.
Tasmania Police had not confirmed the circumstances of the crash and were continuing investigations which would not be ultimately concluded until a coroner's report was issued.
Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins in the wake of the crash stressed the importance of patience on the roads.
For Mr Williams the day was etched into his memory for life.
"Do I have to carry this with me for the rest of my life? Yes, but at least I'm alive to do so," he wrote.
"I don't blame myself, but I also do not blame you. I am deeply sorry, and may you both rest easy. I am thinking of you both, and your family through these dark times. I hope you can find peace."
- Luke Williams on his social media.
The crash left the state's road toll at 20, two higher than the previous year and at a rate of one every 10 days.
Reflecting on the circumstances prior to the eventual crash Mr Williams described how the truck he was in saved his life, and potentially the lives of other road users.
"Had I been in my ute, I can't say I'd be sitting here in my home writing this," he wrote.
"Everything I done [sic] on Monday morning from waking up at 3am, to starting work at exactly 4am, all the stops along the way we made for a break and a coffee, lead up to me being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"But what if I had left home one minute later? If Garry [the colleague truck driver following him] and I had stayed at the roadhouse for lunch for 30 seconds longer? In those few short moments that could have been enough for an innocent family to be travelling in front of me instead of behind me, and Monday's death toll would have been more than two."
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