MASTERTON MOTOR COLLISION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3793, 17 May 1928, Page 3

MASTERTON MOTOR COLLISION.

TREMAYNE DISCHARGED,

Wellington, May 15,

The accused Tremayne gave evidence in the Supreme Court today in the case in which he is charged with manslaughter in connection with a motor collision near Masterton on February 18th.

He stated that he had refused to say anything about the speed because there was a machine on his car to indicate the speed and it was useless for him to guess. The sun momentarily dazzled him and made him feel dizzy and then the crash occurred. He was certain that he had not diverged from his courso. He judged the point of impact from a cut which appeared to be on his correct side of the road. His Honour said that the test jury had to apply was what would an ordinary skilful motor driver have done in the circumstances. There were three tests. Was the accused driving at a reasonable speed? Was he keeping a proper look-out? Was he on his proper side of the road? If one point of impact was where the police said it was then the accused was on the wrong side of the road. Accused set up the defence of misadventure. To return a ver® diet against the accused the jury would have to be satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt of the prisoner’s guilt. The jury found a verdict of not guilty and accused was discharged.