MOTOR FATALITIES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1933, Page 5

MOTOR FATALITIES

COURT VERDICTS

McCOLL-1$ FOUND GUILTY.

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

AUCKLAND, July 23. Noel William McColl, la-ged 23, a stationer, of Otaroliaiiga,: i s on trial on a. charge of negligently driving a car so as to cause tile death G f a youth, David "EHis, at Takapuna, on May 7. EUi s was found, dying on the road on •a dark rainy night, , and the. Crown, alleges that lie was struck by McObll’s car; • : -

The Crown called as a witness accused’s sister-in-law, Ann H. Roberts, who said that accused’s wife and child 'were in the front of the car while fitness was in' the back. Passing through Taka pun a her sjetetf suddenly became very excited,and seemed frightened. .Witness thought her sister said excitedly: ‘'Go on *'< “We .seemed to be all talking . at pnoe, ’ icoritinued witnesp.. M.v. sister seemed frightened a* though we might have struck something. J don’t remember what accused said after.' while •I think my sister- said'.‘Noel, I think we hit something.’ I felt the ■slightest sort of brushing, hut not an impact.” In anwser.to many of the prosecutor’*-®*-questions, .witness said that she could not remember.. ._■ ; Tho jury returned a verdict 0 f guilty, strongly recommending mercy. He was • remanded for sentence. ISLAND BAY FATALITIES. WELLINGTON, July 23. A verdict ofjpot guilty was returned by the jury in the Supreme Ourt in the case of Frederick Patrick Hooker, a,ued 23, driver of; the motor, car which went ove. r a bank, at Island Bay, in -iSpi'il, killing four‘members .of a cabaret party, who was charged to-day ,in t/a Supreme Court wifh negligently driving a car,-• therebyheausing -de-the. ■The jury -added . riders expressing £ their opinion that- this corner should be better lighted, hud ' also■ thaff the regulation governing j the road-worthiness of cars should be strictly enforced.