Widow of Adelaide man killed in double-fatal truck crash speaks about prolonged court proceedings

The widow of Thomas Spiess, a man killed in a double-fatal truck crash on the South Eastern Freeway in 2014, has expressed relief that court proceedings regarding her husband's death are finally over. Jan Spiess, the victim's widow, says the lengthy legal process has taken a toll on her family, particularly her two daughters. The crash occurred when an out-of-control sewage truck collided with Spiess's vehicle at high speeds, resulting in the deaths of Spiess and Jacqueline Byrne, and injuries to Darren Hicks and Louise Compton.

In a statement, Spiess revealed she had not been able to obtain a death certificate for her husband while the proceedings were ongoing, deeming it "inexplicable" that it took 12 years to receive such a document. Despite safety improvements to the intersection, Spiess believes the stretch of road remains dangerously hazardous. South Australian Coroner David Whittle made no further recommendations in the inquest but acknowledged the trauma Spiess experienced.

Spiess also described the lasting impact of the crash on her family, including her daughters. Following the crash, then-Cleanaway truck driver Hicks lost a leg and became a Paralympic gold medallist. He was initially charged for the crash but had charges dropped in 2018 and later provided evidence against Cleanaway. In May, Cleanaway was fined $1.1 million for workplace failures that led to the double fatal crash, the largest penalty ever imposed under federal work health and safety laws.