Concreter Cooper David Hanley faces court over head-on Sunraysia Highway collision near Lexton

A concreter who caused a head-on collision on a highway near Lexton left another driver with broken ribs and “profound” trauma.

Concreter Cooper David Hanley leaves Ballarat Magistrates' Court on July 22, 2025 after being sentenced for dangerous driving.

A dodgy P-plate driver who caused a serious crash northwest of Ballarat and left a victim with “profound” trauma has escaped a court conviction.

Concreter Cooper David Hanley pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that on December 10, 2023, Hanley overtook a car on the Sunraysia Highway near Lexton, driving over double white lines in a 100km/h zone.

While on the wrong side of the road, Hanley – who was on a probationary licence – collided with a car coming in the other direction.

Police arrived just after 3pm.

Both drivers were injured — Hanley was falling in and out of consciousness, and a woman suffered two broken ribs.

The Sunraysia Highway near Lexton, northwest of Ballarat. Picture: Google Maps

In a statement to the court, the female said she now had difficulty getting into a car at all and felt uncertain about her ability to achieve her goals later in life.

Hanley, who is staying at a rehabilitation centre in Kyabram, told the court he felt “guilt and shame” about the injuries he had caused her.

The court heard he also had ongoing neurological issues.

Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said Hanley made “a series of appalling decisions” that could have been drastically more severe.

He put Hanley on a two-year adjourned undertaking with requirements to complete certain rehabilitation programs.

Hanley must also donate $1000 to the court fund.

His licence was cancelled for six months and no conviction was recorded.