Raymond Morris Harrison, of Algona Crescent, was driving at the 60km/h speed limit in a Mitsubishi Triton ute west bound at Lucknow when it he is believed to have fallen asleep and collided with a Mitsubishi Lancer sedan at 5.55pm on February 22, 2018.  

The occupants of the Lancer were trapped in their vehicle and were airlifted to Westmead Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver, a 60-year-old Bathurst woman, required numerous surgeries for leg fractures and her passenger, a 60-year-old Orange man, also required surgery for fractures.

Harrison and his passenger, an 83-year-old woman, were not trapped and were taken by ambulance to Orange hospital where the woman was diagnosed with soft tissue damage to her chest and abdomen, and rib fractures.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Beau Riley said there was ongoing treatment and rehabilitation needed for injuries that were sustained in the crash.

"However, [the victims] were somewhat supportive of Mr Harrison," he said.

Barrister Bill Walsh spoke of Harrison's good character, absence of a criminal record, said he had been employed all his adult life and volunteered for the Rural Fire Service and Rotary.

However, he said months before the crash Mr Harrison was discovered to be anemic, which can lead to fatigue.

During sentencing, magistrate David Day said there were two relevant guideline judgements for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and he also detailed the harm caused to the victims, their family members, Mr Harrison's family and emergency responders.

"The harm done to the community is considerable," Mr Day said.

"He's a trained person, educated, he has had some minor health problems which contributed to this matter."

On Wednesday, Mr Day gave Harrison an 18-month jail sentence with nine-month non-parole period for two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

It included the 25 per cent discount he was given for an early guilty plea.

Mr Harrison has been released on bail after launching a severity appeal, which will be heard in Orange District Court.

His driver's licence had been suspended by police since August 13, 2018, and once his sentence is finalised his licence will be disqualified for 12 months.