A GORDON mother flipped her car on its side with her child in the back seat and fled from the scene of the accident, a court has heard.
Kylie-Anne Howell, 35, yesterday pleaded guilty in Ballarat Magistrates Court to a string of driving offences following a car crash in Melbourne last year.
In April 2012, Howell lost control of her car in Heidelburg Heights, narrowly avoiding two pedestrians, before crashing into another car.
She was driving unlicensed at the time, and the car ended up on its side.
Howell and her partner got out of the car, pushed it back on its wheels and drove away from the scene, with substantial damage to the car.
Police prosecutor Acting Sergeant David Cosgriff told the court the victim in the other car was taken to hospital with general soreness and neck pain.
Howell had lost her licence just 10 days before the accident. Defence lawyer Paul Houston said his client had panicked at the scene of the crash, fearful she would have her car impounded.
He said Howell had looked to see if the other victims were okay and left when ambulances arrived.
“It’s a poor decision, which she regrets, but it’s too late now,” he said.
Magistrate Michelle Hodsgon said the mother’s actions were extremely irresponsible, especially given there were innocent people in danger, including her son.
“If you have an accident you must ensure all assistance is given to those involved,” she said.
“You can’t just ignore what happens at the scene of an accident.”
Howell pleaded guilty to careless driving, driving while suspended, failing to give a name and address to an injured party and driving in the wrong direction down a one-way service road.
She was sentenced to one month in prison, suspended for 12 months and fined $300.