MOTOR FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1932, Page 5

MOTOR FATALITY

SENT FOR TRIAL

DRIVER FACES GRAVE CHARGE.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, August 24

In conjunction with an inquest, a preliminary hearing is proceeding at the Magistrate’s Court, of the- charge against Paul Olsen Sabo, aged 41, taxidriver that, while in- a -state- of intoxication, he was in charge of a motorcar in Whitmore- Street/>and' that, by an act of omission m relation thereto, lie did the cause the death. of William Edwards.

The deceased was a carpenter and joiner, aged 33 years, of Eastbourne, who -was fatally injured,* When knocked down by a motor in ,Whitmore Street, on the evening of July 39th. Medical evidence was given that, on bei§& examined at the Policfe Station, the accused was under the influence of liquor, and was in a state which would preclude him from driving a. car. "He was, not very bad," said a medical witness, “hut still quite bad efiough, atid should lWt drive a car in that state. 11 ' t William Lawrence iWchbafilts eald that bn July 30ith, he was behind a car numbering 6014, and by the manner it was driven, he thought a, learner was, at the wheel. '; He followed the cur into Whitmore Street, where the right-hand mudguard hit a man. After running over the man, the car stopped momentarily. Then it was driven straight on again. The lights had been on, but they were now switched off. Witness (had intended to assist ithe injured -man, but he then decided :to follow the car fa front. It Ipulled up in Lambton Quay, outside, the New Zealand- Cab Company’s Office. When witness pulled up, the driver was just getting out. An eye-witness of the accident, Archibald Hugh Bogle, a surveyor, of Wanganui, also gave evidence. Sergeant J. Carmody stated that he had inspected' Sabo’s taxi immediatei’y after the accident,,, and -had found the right hand mudguard was dented and the right-hand front damp was bent out of place. Constable E. G. Trask, who arrested Sabo for drunkenness, while in charge of a car, said that the -accused pleaded with him ,to let -him go, ais he said he had no money to fight the case.' ’ When he arrested the accused, witness was 'of ' the opinion that Sabo was intoxicated to such an extent, as to- be unfit to. drive a car. •

Sabo pleaded not guilty and was committed*- for trial. . The inquest was adjourned sine die.