A Victorian truck driver high on ice claims he'd been reaching for a can of Coca-Cola when he crushed a ute killing a father of six.

Michael Templeton, 31, was high on ice at the time of the collision. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)

Victim Kari-Pekka Maunus and wife, Mia. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)

Michael Templeton had been speeding in the 80km/h zone and failed to slow as traffic banked up approaching roadworks on the Calder Freeway at Taylors Lakes in March last year.

Without braking, the 15-tonne freightliner drove up and over 49-year-old Kari-Pekka Maunus’ ute.

The father-of-six was killed instantly.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash on the Calder Freeway in March last year. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)

Blood results revealed Templeton, 31, had ice in his system at the time, but he told a psychologist he’d been reaching for a can of Coke before the deadly collision.

The victim’s widow, Mia Maunus, described Templeton’s actions as “selfish and reckless”.

“You were prepared to risk the lives of others to serve your own needs,” she said.

Today Templeton pleaded guilty to culpable driving, an offence which carries a maximum of 20 years’ jail.

Templeton pleaded guilty to causing the fatal crash. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)

During the plea hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, the truck driver sobbed and whispered, “I’m sorry”.

The court accepted the offender is genuinely remorseful. Immediately after the fatal crash, he tried to take his own life.

He will be sentenced next week.