ACCIDENT SEQUEL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 60, 3 June 1942, Page 5

ACCIDENT SEQUEL

PARTIES IN COURT COLLISION AT INTERSECTION The outcome of an accident on April 17 last between two cars, at the intersection of Domain Road and King Street took shape in the police prosecution of Mrs Hild'a Cooper (Mr Otley) in the Whakatane Court yesterdlay on a charge of driving without due care and attention. Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., was on the bench. Ken ne tli Good all in evidence claimed that while driving his car to his home in Landing Roadi he was approaching the intersection slowly when a small car caine round Cadman's corner. Pie had sounded his horn and when sure a collision was inevitable had. swerved over to the right in order to try and avoid the other vehicle. The ether car however continued on and struck his, both being thrown off the road on "to the grass. Extensive damage was done to either vehicle. He did not allege excessive speed on the part of the small car. Corroborative evidence was given by Mrs Good all who was a passenger at the time. Constable Thorn read a statement, from the defendant in which she alleged that she Avas straightening up, after rounding the corner when the collision took place. From the box defendant declared that if Goodall had kept to his correct side there would' have been no accident, but he had deliberately swerved across in front of her and hit her car on the driver's side-

To Sergeant Farrell she admitted that when first approaching the 1 corner the roacl appeared clear. "The defendant's defence is that Goodall was: driving carelessly," said Mr Walton in giving his finding. "That however does not exclude her from carrying out her duty which is to watch out carefully on her right. It is obvious here that on her own statement sihe failed to do this or she Avoulcl not have turned before ascertaining whether or not the road was clear." A' fine of 20s and costs 2.15; was imposed.