Fern Summer, of Shepparton, faced Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on a charge of failing to report an accident where damage had occurred.
The charge sheet shows the collision occurred in Shepparton on May 21.
Judicial registrar Sally Wilson heard the matter in court, saying that Ms Summer “did go back” to where the incident occurred soon afterwards to “attempt to do the right thing” but the other person involved was no longer there.
Ms Summer, who represents the Yanha Gurtji ward, has been a councillor for more than 12 years.
As Ms Summer was recommended for a diversion in court, no details of what happened were read out.
A diversion must be recommended by the prosecution and people who receive one are given certain things they must do and a time frame to do it in.
If all conditions of the diversion are completed, the charges are dismissed with no finding of guilt and are recorded similarly to an official warning, and no criminal record is recorded.
Ms Wilson said Ms Summer’s return to the site of the collision so soon afterwards showed her good character.
“I understand when you are confronted with an incident you’re not used to such as a collision … you act out of character,” Ms Wilson said.
“You’ve been very forthright by going back and trying to do the right thing, and that goes towards your character.”
Ms Wilson also noted that Ms Summer had “written a heartfelt letter to the victim”, which would have been something that would have made up her diversion conditions.
“I can see you’re very remorseful,” she said.
“In your favour is your contribution to the community, your otherwise good character, and your sincere remorse.”
Ms Summer was put on a diversion for six months, to be of good behaviour in that time.
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