SEQUEL TO A FATAL COLLISION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 41, 12 November 1926, Page 4

SEQUEL TO A FATAL COLLISION

SERIOUS CHARGE FAILS. Palmerston North, November 11. The case was continued, before Mr. Justice Reed,-at the Supreme Court to-day, in which Frank Winton Lethbridge, farmer, of Waituna, was charged under the-Motor-vehicles Act with causing the death of Robert Nelson Ingle through negligently driving a motor-car on: the Aorangi Road. Feilding, on July 31 last. The evidence given by accused in the lower Court was read, and this was to the effect that accused was of the opinion that the absence of one • light, on his car made no-difference. The visibility at the time of the accident was bad. Accused on the day of the affair had had seven beers m the morning and seven whiskies in the afternoon, but they were only sdiall drinks. He was not in the habit of so drinking, but he was not' drunk. This concluded the case for the prosecution. There being no evidence called for the defence, the Court adjourned for the jury to view the scene of the fatality. After a retirement extending over five hours, the jury found accused not guilty. They added.a rider to the effect that the driving of. a motor-car with only one light- was a dangerous procedure, and one that, should be’stopped.