SEQUEL TO COLLISION

Chronicle (Levin), 1 November 1947, Page 2

SEQUEL TO COLLISION

DRIVER OF CAR FINED A sequel to a •collision between two cars on the Waikanae Bridge on June 26 last was heard in the Magistrate's" lCourt, Otaki, , on Thursday, when George V!/illiam' Kassy, of Wellington, was charged with driving without due" care and attention. Mr. A. M._ Gouldiiig, S.M., fined him £2. Constable W. A. Calwell told the court that when he arrived at the scene all the occupants had left except Mr. Leslie Robert, of Palmerston North, driver of one of the cars, and his father. The accident had occurred about 13 feet- from the southem end of the bridge. which was 240 feet long and 13ft. 6ins. wide, with a high superstructure. Various warning notices were displayed. Robert was travelling south, while Kassy was proceeding northwards. He believed that at the time of the accident ifc h?,d besn raining. The accident had occurred about 9.15 in the morning. Leslie Robert, the driver of one, j of the cars, said he was approximately a quarter or perhaps halfway, across the bridge when the accident occurred. He immediately braked when he saw 'there was ilikeiy to be a collision. His brakes were in good working order, only just having been overhauled. At the time of going across the bridge his speed would be about 15 m.p.h. Kassy's car was just on the bridge 'when the accident occurred, but he eould not say what speed Kassy was : travelling at. i Percy Roberts, father of previous witness, gave similar evidence. Kassy's car had the headlights on at the time. He saw jt when it ;was some distance off, and as his son's car was first on the bridge he | naturally thought Kassy would pull jup at the end of the bridge. Inspector Davy gave evidence as to taking Mrs. Kassy to the doctor. On the way she asked who he , thought was to blame. Witness I had replied that he considered Kassy was to blame, but that they ] would have to wait till measureiments were taken. I Counsel for Kassy, Mr. Rose, I asked that the charge be dismissed, j but the magistrate declined this I request. Defendant stated that he was j driving his car from the direction ; of Wellington. The headlights were ! on as visibility was not good. His : speed on entering the bridge. was about 8 m.p.h. He saw that a coljlision would occur, and pulled over to try and avoid it. The oncoming car was approaching at a fair speed. Elsie Kassy, wife of the defend- ; ant, stated that she was in the front seat when the accident occurred. They were travelling slowly, probably no more than 10 m.p.h. Her husband, when he noticed the other car on th4 bridge, stopped his car. To Constable Calwell, witness said she was quite sure their car had stopped when it was struck. They had not had time to back off the bridge before being struck. Doris Lauder corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. In addition to the fine Kassv was

I ordered to pay witnesses' expenses of £1. "