CAR-DRIVER CHARGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 13

CAR-DRIVER CHARGED

SEQUEL TO COLLISION CRASH ON COUNTRY ROAD (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, To-day. Charges of negligent driving, dangerous driving and failing to pass on the right side of a vehicle were denied by Cyril McLeod (Mr. Tompkins) in the Police Court before Mr. F. W. Platts, S.A., to-day. John Muir, taxi-driver, Frankton, said that on the evening of July 1 ho was returning with a load of passengers from Cambridge to Hamilton. Tho car stopped for a few minutes on the left-hand side of the road #it Tamahere, and before it was started again tho defendant’s car crashed into it from behind, causing the benzine tank of witness’s car to catch fire. One of witness’s passengers, John Delvers, had his right leg broken. The tail light of witness’s car was burning before and after the collision. John Delvers, contractor, Frankton, said ho had hired Muir to take him and two young ladies to Cambridge. The car stopped on the left-hand side of the road and all the lights, including the rear light, were burning. Constable Gibbison said the wheel marks of the cars indicated that Muir’s car was on the left side of the •road at the time of the impact and that it was driven 35 yards after the collision. Constable Kirby produced a statement signed by defendant that he was motoring to Hamilton on the evening of July 1 on his correct side of the road when he overtook a car proceeding in front. This car, which had no tail light burning, pulled up without warning, and a collision occurred. Defendant said he and a companion, William Neil, left Bruntwood for Hamilton in a light two-seater car at 10.30 pm. The road was foggy in places. Neither witness nor his companion saw any light on Muir’s car and when th 0 car was actually seen it was too late to avoid the collision. Delvers was rendered unconscious and Neil bled profusely from cuts on tho face. William John Neil, factory hand, Frankton, who was a passenger in defendant’s car, gave evidence corroborating that given by McLeod. The magistrate reserved his decision.