Jerrica Mitchell-Coburn avoids full-time jail for Wallsend crash which injured Shaniel Bowe

She left the scene of a crash which left a young tradie with multiple fractures. But Jerrica Mitchell-Coburn’s decision to put herself into rehab has helped her avoid prison.

A woman who sped off after leaving a motorcyclist in a gutter with multiple fractures has been spared full-time jail after a magistrate decided the community would be better served with her finishing an intensive rehabilitation program.

Jerrica Mitchell-Coburn was instead sentenced to a strict, two-year intensive corrections order following the early morning hit-and-run at Wallsend which left young tradie Shaniel Bowe needing surgery to mend his broken bones.

It was not the first time Mitchell-Coburn had failed to stop after being involved in an accident, with the 28-year-old also admitting to smashing into a parked car at Belmont last December while under the influence of methylamphetamine.

Jerrica Mitchell-Coburn was sentenced to a two-year intensive corrections order in Belmont Local Court. Picture: Emily Burley.

But Belmont Local Court heard on Tuesday that Mitchell-Coburn had responded to months of rehabilitation, with the Warners Bay woman apologising to Mr Bowe and his family for the hurt she had caused.

“I will always hold regret for my actions following the collision,’’ Mitchell-Coburn wrote in a letter to the court.

“I carry great shame for all the offences that bring me before the courts today.

Shaniel Bowe in John Hunter Hospital after he was hit by a car being driven by Jerrica Mitchell-Coburn. Picture: Supplied

“I have also brought a lot of embarrassment upon my family.’’

Mitchell-Coburn’s barrister Stephen Ryan told the court that it appeared momentary inattention could have caused the accident which severely injured Mr Bowe in April.

The impact caused Mr Bowe - a young man on his way to work as an apprentice fitter and machinist - to be flung into the gutter.

His hip and pelvis had been shattered, and his thigh bone, shin and nose also fractured.

Mitchell-Coburn initially stopped but, after five minutes, got back in her car and drove off, an action which magistrate Justin Peach said left Mr Bowe in “quite significant degree of pain and fear”.

Mitchell-Coburn handed herself into police six days later and admitted to causing the crash.

She would also plead guilty to three charges, including negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm; failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm; and not giving particulars to injured person.

But it was the decision to enter a strict, year-long rehabilitation program which may have ultimately saved her from full-time custody.

Shaniel Bowe on the road to recovery after an alleged hit and run, where he was left in a gutter at Wallsend with serious injuries. Picture: Supplied.

“Overall, what the offender displays is someone who has a significant problem with illicit substances,’’ Mr Peach said in sentencing.

“When one looks at the behaviour and offending of Ms Mitchell-Coburn has on her record, it [stems] from her use of illicit substances.’’

Her barrister Stephen Ryan had told the court “this is a young woman who has gone completely off the rails” before the crash.

But Mr Ryan said the rehabilitation program had a series of strict conditions which his client had continued to meet.

He asked for Mr Peach to consider not giving Mitchell-Coburn a full-time custodial sentence, but instead an intensive corrections order which could include conditions that she not only abstain from alcohol and drugs but complete the rehabilitation program.

The magistrate agreed, citing Mitchell-Coburn’s “significant effort” made to mend her ways and that there were good prospects for rehabilitation.

Mr Peach sentenced Mitchell-Coburn to the two-year intensive corrections order, which includes her completing the rehabilitation program, and disqualified her from driving for three years.