Sarmad Shamon Nisan, 42, was travelling at almost twice the speed limit, in the wrong gear, and failed to engage the exhaust brake as he approached a steep descent on Warringah Road in Dee Why in October 2014.

Nisan lost control of his almost fully laden 22-tonne truck, which flipped over and slammed into a line of traffic stopped at a red light at the busy intersection at Pittwater Road.

Two police officers driving to work - James McClenaghan and Amy Champion - were among six people who were injured.

After a judge-alone trial last year, Nisan was found guilty of two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Delivering her sentence in Parramatta District Court on Thursday, Judge Deborah Payne said Nisan's actions demonstrated the "abandonment of responsibility" and were a "gross departure" from the standard of driving expected from a prudent truck driver.

Nisan did not abide by the "frequent and repeated" warning signs at the top of the hill, and his vehicle reached speeds of up 65km/h as it travelled down the steep descent.

"This case is certainly not one of momentary inattention or misjudgment," Judge Payne said.

???"For whatever reason he did not apply what the signs dictated to his manner of driving ... He did not offer any explanation as to why."

Judge Payne said Nisan had never taken responsibility for his actions nor displayed any genuine remorse.

The court heard that Nisan, who arrived in Australia as a refugee from Iraq in 2009 and lived with his ailing mother in Smithfield in Sydney's west, had been driving for about five years before the crash occurred.

His only prior traffic offence was failing to give way at a roundabout, for which he received a fine.

Ms Champion, who was left with a traumatic brain injury and spent months recovering in hospital, was in court to see the sentencing.

She told a court hearing earlier this year that her injuries meant she lost the opportunity to spend time with her mother who was dying of cancer in intensive care.

"When my mum needed me to be a support for her the most, I was in a different hospital not being aware of her situation being so serious and needing and wanting more support from her," Ms Champion said.

"This truck collision stole the last few months I had to spend with my mum and it is something I will never be able to forgive the driver for taking this precious time away from me and my mum."

Nisan's barrister Ahmad Moutsallem had argued that the crash was a "tragic accident" and that his client should be spared a full-time custodial sentence.

But Judge Payne said it was her view that no other penalty than a full-time custodial sentence was appropriate.

Nisan was sentenced to a maximum of four years. He will eligible for parole in April 2020.