Investigators believe the southbound truck driver attempted to avoid a collision with the northbound Holden Commodore ute, which was on the wrong side of the road. The truck hit the ute, driven by Mr Levett, was forced off the road and crashed into a house, where Max McGregor was sleeping. Investigations into the crash are continuing.

Mr Levett’s family have paid tribute to his free spirit and big heart, as he was the first to help anyone in need.

This accident has highlighted why the Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade must be the next funding priority of the highway duplication, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said on Monday.

“There is no doubt that Warrell Creek to Urunga is the worst section of road on the Pacific Highway. The statistics spell out why this section of road must be the funding priority,” he said.

“More than 25 people have lost their lives there over the past five years. At the end of 2011, we saw a fatality at Warrell Creek and we also saw a semi-trailer end up in the Nambucca River after an accident near the Macksville Bridge.”

Nambucca Shire Council has also recently been pushing for the Warrell Creek to Urunga section of the highway to be upgraded as a priority.

According to a survey completed by the NRMA in 2011, the section of highway between Warrell Creek and Urunga was identified as the worst in the state.

Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner described the crash as an “immense tragedy that has left many of us deeply saddened”.

“It also steadies our resolve to achieve the Prime Minister’s deadline of 2016 for duplication of the Pacific Highway,” he said.