A truck driver may have suffered a medical episode before a spectacular crash into a suburban home that claimed his life and seriously injured a mother and son.
The occupants of the house escaped injury and police said the tragedy could have been a lot worse.
Initial investigations suggest the truck crossed the median strip onto the wrong side of the road, hitting a white hatchback before veering through a fence and smashing into the back of the Launceston home.
The 68-year-old male driver of the B-double De Bruyn's Transport truck could not be revived when emergency services were called to the crash at 6.50am on Wednesday.
A 48-year-old woman and her 24-year-old son, who were in the car, were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
De Bruyn's Transport said it believed a medical episode contributed to the crash, but police said they are still investigating.
"This is a very upsetting day for our company and our thoughts are with everyone involved," the company said.
"We ask the media to respect the driver's family as we assist with ongoing investigations."
The two occupants of the house were in the front of the property and escaped unharmed. Their pets were also not injured.
"There's quite substantial damage to the back," Tasmania Police acting inspector Andrew Hanson said at the scene.
"My understanding is that they have got some help from neighbours.
"They're just working through the process of contacting ... insurance.
"Potentially it could have been a lot worse."
Southbound and northbound lanes of Goderich Street in the Launceston suburb of Invermay were closed for several hours.
