DRIVER FOR TRIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 737, 9 August 1929, Page 16

DRIVER FOR TRIAL

CHARGED WITH CAUSING DEATH SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT Following the hearing of evidence on a charge of causing the death of Samuel Leatham through negligent driving, preferred against William David Weller in the Police Court yesterday, accused was committed for trial at the Supreme Court. A charge of being intoxicated in charge of a motor-van was withdrawn by the police. Evidence for the inquest on the death of Mr. Leatham was taken at the same time, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., acting as coroner. Weller, a butcher, aged 33, was represented by Mr. Vialoux and Mr. J. J. Hogben appeared for Leatham’s relatives. The charge was the result of a fatal accident which took place in the New North Road on July 24. According to police evidence a tram was about to move off from the corner of Salisbury Road, where it had been stopped to allow two passengers to alight. The van was said to have struck the back of the tram and grazed along the side of it, coming to a stop level with the front step of the tram which was broken in two as a result of the impact. One witness was positive -that Leatham had been carried the length .of the tram. When the motorman, the conductor and several others went toward the wrecked van to investigate, they found Mr. Leatham’s body lying level with the front wheel of the van. The man was dead, but accused had not appeared to be concerned when informed of the fact. He had insisted that the "stop” light on the rear of the tram was out aud, according to one witness, he was more concerned about what his wife would say to him for being late home and also about opening his shop in the morning. After 12 witnesses had given evidence, Mr. Vialoux entered a plea of not guilty. In his capacity as coroner, Mr. Hunt returned a verdict that Mr. Leatham had died as the result of injuries received through being knocked down by a van driven by accused.