Laravel, Mysql duplicate entry

I am using Laravel 5. I am facing a problem while creating a new Member - system finds an existing entry and crashes.

Is there any Laravel/PHP way to verify if Member already exists before creation and update just updated_at timestamp?

$member = new Member(['group' => 1, 'user_id' => 1]);
$member->save();

SQLSTATE[23000]: Integrity constraint violation: 1062 Duplicate entry '1-1' for key 'MEMBER_GROUP';

via Chebli Mohamed