Craig Jeffrey Schmidt, 42, appeared in Horsham Magistrates' Court on June 17.

He pleaded guilty to careless driving, drink-driving and failing to report an accident.

The court heard that on July 4, Schmidt was working at the Quantong Transfer Station when he started drinking.

He later told police he only had one drink before getting into his truck and driving back to the depot.

At 3.15pm, he was driving along Golf Course Road, when he failed to navigate a bend and lost control of the car.

The court heard that Schmidt ran off the road, crashing into garbage bins, trees and a garden bed.

He drove through the front yard of a house, missing a 9-year-old boy by about five to six metres.

Schmidt was later breath tested and recorded a blood alcohol reading of .090.

Defence lawyer Simon Torpy said Schmidt had since received alcohol counselling.

He said Schmidt had recently separated from his partner at the time of the incident and his alcohol consumption had increased.

"He works for West Wimmera Shire Council and will lose his job as a result of this offending," he said.

Magistrate Peter Dunn said Schmidt was driving a heavy vehicle, which meant he needed a blood alcohol reading of 0.00.

"He left the road and crashed into the front yard of a house, where a child was in the near vicinity," he said.

"He is very fortunate something more sinister didn't occur."

Mr Dunn said he was unsure as to why Schmidt didn't knock on the door of the house to report the incident.

Mr Dunn fined Schmidt $1500. His driver's licence was cancelled and he will be disqualified for six months.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.