Rex Martin's ute and trailer was being tailgated by Jamie William Egan in his Kenworth K200 prime mover and B-double trailers just before the collision in March, 2019.

Other motorists pulled over and tried to help the 63-year-old Mr Martin after the crash, but he could not be reached as the upturned cabin of his 1997 E2000 Mazda ute burst into flames.

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He was so "significantly" burned that he could be identified only by fingerprints

Forensic pathologist Dr Judith Pearl, in a report before the District Court in Albury, said the screening of a blood sample taken from the seriously injured Egan at Canberra hospital showed the now 48-year-old had used methamphetamine within four to six hours of the collision.

Egan initially told police he had not used the drug in the 24 hours before the collision at the Sweetwater Creek bridge on March 28 about 8.20pm.

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Judge Sean Grant has jailed Egan, of Riddells Creek, for three years and four months, setting a non-parole period of two years.

With time already served - Egan previously surrendered himself into custody while on bail - he will be eligible for release on December 29.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Egan had pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of methamphetamine causing death.

Judge Grant also took into account, on sentence, a charge of possess a prohibited drug, related to two small, resealable plastic bags of ice weighing 1.36 grams found in Egan's sunglasses case.

Back-up charges of drive vehicle with illicit drug found in blood and negligent driving occasioning death were withdrawn by the Crown and formally dismissed.

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The court was told the blood sample taken from Egan was analysed at the ACT Government Analytical Laboratory.

This revealed the presence of 0.51 milligrams of methamphetamine per litre, 0.04 milligrams of amphetamine and 0.02 milligrams of morphine.

Dr Pearl said the amphetamine was "most likely due" to the metabolism of the methamphetamine.

"The significant amphetamine concentration in Jamie Egan does suggest he most likely used methamphetamine frequently," she said.

The very high methamphetamine concentration, she said, indicated he had probably taken one point, or 0.1 grams, of the drug before the crash.

Egan had pulled his truck to the right when a crash was imminent, but it still struck Mr Martin's trailer.

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