Adam Charles Deering, 44, of Kiama Avenue, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday to careless driving, failing to stop after an accident and having a passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt.

He was convicted and fined $1000 but the man did not lose his driver’s licence.

Police said that at 10am on June 29, Deering was driving east along Neylon Street, Cobden, when he collided with the rear of another vehicle which careered into the bowls club car park.

Deering kept driving and stopped about 500 metres down the road. His passenger was not wearing a seatbelt and she smashed the windscreen with her head, suffering minor injuries to her head, chest and arms. Deering and his passenger were taken to hospital, a blood sample was taken from Deering but it contained no alcohol or drugs substances. 

During an interview, he told police he couldn’t remember what happened.

Defence counsel Amanda Chambers said the other vehicle had pulled out in front of her client and he pulled over at the safest place.

She said the passenger suffered three broken ribs and Deering needed his licence as he drove and towed a trailer full of equipment to lawn mowing jobs.

Deering’s car was an insurance write-off, his insurance covered the cost of repairs to the other vehicle and he paid the premium so the other driver was not out of pocket.

Magistrate John Lesser said it was fortunate Deering’s passenger was not more seriously injured, but the defendant had a number of prior court appearances for driving offences, although they were a long time ago.