At the County Court in Ballarat on Monday, he sentenced truck driver Michael Mitchell, 46, to 12 months prison, to be followed by a three-year community corrections order.

The sentence came with further with conditions including monitoring, mental health and drug and alcohol treatment and completing driver education courses.

Mitchell was charged with dangerous driving causing death and wept as Judge Ryan spoke about the victim impact statements submitted by the parents and sister of the victim, George Paul Hubber Jr of Daylesford.

Judge Ryan noted Mitchell had expressed "true remorse", that he had plead guilty to the charges, and that the offending was "on the lower end", but said Mitchell had a history of traffic infringements, including convictions.

PREVIOUS STORY, APRIL 30: A 46-year-old truck driver accused of causing a head-on collision, killing a Daylesford man, has plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death.

Michael James Mitchell, of Kangaroo Flat, faced the Ballarat County Court on Monday morning, supported by his cousin.

Previously, he had plead not guilty in the Magistrate's Court, but following a sentencing indication last month, he resolved to change his plea.

READ MORE: Truck driver denies he drove dangerously before Newlyn fatality in February 2017

His defence lawyer, Robert Timms, said he was "wracked with guilt" over the 2017 incident, causing him to become withdrawn.

"He attended the sentencing indication with a bag packed, he is not hiding from the requirement that there needs to be punishment, and just punishment," Mr Timms said.

The court was told Mitchell was driving north on the Midland Highway near Newlyn in a truck loaded with a Bobcat in February 2017.

He told police he was "distracted by something to (his) left", allegedly causing him to veer to the right.

Travelling south in the opposite lane was George Paul Hubber, 45, from Daylesford.

The truck allegedly struck the car head-on then sideswiped it, causing it to roll.

Mr Hubber had taken evasive action, with a scene reconstruction indicating he had slowed down and veered off the road.

Mr Hubber died at the scene from "catastrophic" head injuries.

Aggravating factors were not present in the case - there was no excessive speed, and neither driver tested positive for drugs or alcohol.

There was no erratic driving or fatigue reported, mobile phone records showed no activity, and neither vehicle had any mechanical faults.

However, prosecution lawyer David Cordy said the truck driven by Mitchell had its passenger side 2.6 metres over the centre of the dividing line - "by a good margin, on any estimate - he's in excess of five metres of where should have been," he said.

"People need to understand that when you drive any vehicle, but particularly heavy vehicles, 100 per cent attention is required."

A victim impact statement from Mr Hubber's sister Therese was read out in court, bringing Mitchell to tears.

"I miss my friend and I miss my brother," she said.

"I no longer enjoy birthdays and Christmas, and I find it harder to socialise, and harder to be a mother, daughter, and partner."

The court was also told Mitchell had attempted suicide two days after the incident, and hadn't seen his children since.

Judge Christopher James Ryan asked if he could look them in the face.

"He can't look anyone in the face," Mr Timms replied.

Judge Ryan noted the offence was "on the lower end" without the "aggravating factors".

"These matters are very difficult and they need to be properly addressed," he said.

He remanded Mitchell in custody until sentencing next week.

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