ALLEGED HIT-AND- RUN DRIVER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 60, 3 December 1937, Page 17

ALLEGED HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER

-Preaa Association.:

Negligence Charge Follows Fatal Accident UNUSUAL CASE

By Telegrapb-

AUCKLAND, Last Night. Appearing on summons in the Folice Court before Mr. F. K. Hunt', S.M., today? Boy Clifford Dormer was charged wxth negligently driving a motorcar on the evening of Saturday, September 11, in Mount Albert road, thereby causing the death of Harold Arthur llogerB. He was cliarged also with failiug to stop after the accident. Mr. Marshall White appeared for Dormer. • — Sub-Inspector Fos said it was not usual to comment before the liearjng of an indictable charge, but in view of the way itt wlilch Dormer had come under the notice of the polic© he considered it proper to mahe some observation. Tlie accident occurred at 6.30 p.m. when Rogers, a single man, aged 54, was crossing the road. He had only proceeded five or aix feet from the footpath when he was struck by a car travelling in the direction of Royal Oak at a high speed. The car was seen to swerve on impact and then to continue, passing out of sight at the same high speed. No-onl? got the number of the car, but a description was obtained, Rogera was found by witnesses badly injured and died in hospital the same night. Police inquiries were continued. On Monday morning a constable was making inquiries about the recent sale of a late model of a certain make of car. On Monday .forenoon Mr. Marshall White telephoned police headquarters saying that Dormer had r.ead an account of the accident in the newspaper and remembered driving his car in Mount Albert road 'About the time of the accident. It was possible that his car might have been responsible for the accident, although he did not admit that that was so. At that time there was no suspicion attaching to Dormer, who came to the police station and made a statement. After evidenoe had been beaf'd and the accused's statement had been read, Dormer pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed to the Suprerne Court for trial.