85 Reached In Long Chase

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 3

85 Reached In Long Chase

(N.Z. Press Association) MASTERTON, Feb. 8. A chase of nearly 20 miles involving four traffic officers travelling at speeds up to 85 miles an hour was described to Mr H. Rosen, S.M., today when a disqualified driver faced three charges resulting from the chase.

Melvyn Robert O'Callaghan, a 23-year-old panel-beater from Petone. pleaded guilty through Mr N. C. Jaine to driving while disqualified, reckless driving and failing to stop for a traffic officer. He was convicted on each charge and remanded on bail for a probation officer's report and sentence on Thursday. Senior Traffic Officer D. (McPhee said a traffic officer lon a motor-cycle first saw the (car driven by O'Callaghan in ‘Masterton heading south. He followed it as it appeared to be speeding and in High street it accelerated to 75 miles an hour in the restricted area. 3

The traffic officer followed as the car ieft the town at between 75 and 80 miles an hour

After crossing the Waingawa bridge, the traffic officer started to pull alongside the speeding car to stop it, his siren sounding. He was forced to pull back when the driver of the car steered across the road. The manoeuvre was repeated with the same result and on the third occasion the traffic officer tried again, not pulling back so soon. He was forced out on to the gravel verge on the side of the road and for his own safety had to draw back, said Traffic Officer McPhee.

Further south Traffic Officer McPhee joined the chase and the car took a corner with an advisory speed of 35 at about 80 miles an hour, crossing a no-passing line to do so and then slowed down to enter Carterton at 55 to 60. The car increased its speed to 70 miles an hour in the borough and then, braking hard, turned into a side street in a residential area where a speed of 70 miles an hour was again reached.

During the chase the red flashing light and siren were used and O’Callaghan was well aware he was being chased, said Traffic Officer McPhee.

The car rejoined the main highway south and its driver I overtook many cars, some in the face of oncoming traffic, at speeds of about 80 miles an hour. A road block was organised by radio just north of Greytown, a a patrol car being parked, across part of the road and: the traffic officer standing in i the gap, his arm extended. Accused approached the block at 80 miles an hour, headed straight for Traffic Officer R. L. Pevin. Braking to about 50 miles an hour, the ear went through the block as Traffic Officer Pelvin dived to safety. South of Greytown the* accused was stopped with thei assistance of Traffic Officer' H. G. Perreau. The driver at first said his | name was Smith but later gave his correct name. Asked why he had carried' on, accused told Traffic Officer McPhee, “I had nothing* *to lose anyway.” |

Traffic Officer McPhee said the chase occurred on anniversary week-end on roads busy with race and holiday traffic.