Aidan Rigby, 21, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to careless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol so that he was incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Chris Cole told the court Rigby had been drinking with friends on July 27 last year when he drove another person’s Holden Cruze from her house to another friend’s house about 1am and then back again at 3am.
One of his friends told Rigby he should not be driving at 3am, but decided to get in the vehicle with Rigby, who was driving, believing he could help keep him alert, Leading Sen Constable Cole said.
The court heard that shortly before 4am, Rigby veered into the middle of the road on Broadway St, Cobram, and collided head-on with a traffic light pole in the centre island of a school crossing.
CCTV footage showed the two occupants of the car, and another man who arrived on foot, moving the vehicle before leaving.
Leading Sen Constable Cole said when Rigby was interviewed by police he admitted to driving and said he had been drinking alcohol.
He was extremely remorseful and co-operative with police and told them he did not report the accident because of his anxiety, Leading Sen Constable Cole said.
The court was also told Rigby had never held a driver’s licence.
Rigby’s solicitor Emma Gray said her client described the accident as “a wake-up call” and he no longer consumed alcohol.
“He is grateful he was not injured,” she said.
Ms Gray also said Rigby was struggling with his mental health at the time and that was why he did not report it to police.
She also noted that it did not appear the car was being driven fast or out of control and that Rigby “had a momentary lapse in concentration”.
In fining Rigby, Magistrate Peter Mithen said it was “nothing more than good luck” that the outcome was not worse.
“This could have been a lot worse had you run into someone and killed them,” he said.
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