A cowardly driver fled the scene on foot after smashing head-on into a car as he tried to overtake a bus.
Graeme Osborne was behind the wheel of his Vauxhall Corsa on the A196, in Guidepost, Northumberland, when he crashed into the other vehicle, causing it to spin 180 degrees and come to rest on a footpath.
But the 33-year-old didn't wait around to see if the occupants of the car were hurt as he ran off through some nearby fields, a court heard.
However, he left behind his passengers, who gave his identity to the police.
North Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard that the man and woman in the other car suffered torn cartilage, cuts and bruises and required hospital treatment.
Now, Osborne, of Castle Way, in Pegswood, near Morpeth, has been fined £230 and given six penalty points after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention.
Lorna Rimell, prosecuting, said the victims were travelling along the A196 on December 30 last year when they saw a bus coming towards them in the opposite lane.
She added: "As soon as they approached it, they saw a vehicle being driven by the defendant pull out from behind the bus and approach them head-on in an attempt to overtake the bus."
The court heard that, despite trying to take evasive action, the couple collided with Osborne's Corsa, and ended up spinning 180 degrees before coming to rest on a footpath.
Ms Rimell continued: "They both got out the vehicle and saw the defendant get out the driver's door of his vehicle and he made off through a field.
"There were a number of passengers in his vehicle who said he was the driver."
The couple were taken to hospital, where it was later discovered the woman had suffered torn cartilage to her pelvic bone and the man had a cut above his right eye.
Their £9,000 vehicle was also written off.
In a statement read to the court, the female said: "The incident makes me feel nervous and I feel nervous about driving again.
"I sometimes get scared when I see an oncoming vehicle coming towards me."
Magistrates were told that Osborne had one previous conviction for drink-driving from 2017, when he was banned from the roads for 18 months.
The court heard that Osborne had suffered a momentary lapse of concentration, was apologetic and had immediately pleaded guilty.
As well as the fine and penalty points, Osborne was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
