MOTOR FATALITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1938, Page 8

MOTOR FATALITY

CAR DRIVER BEFORE COURT COMMITTED FOR TRIAL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 23. As a sequel to a fatal motor-car accident near St Joseph’s Convent on the Great North Road on the evening of April 16, John Frederick Copley, labourer, aged 42 (Mr Aekins), appeared before Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court charged that, while in a state of intoxication in charge of a car, by an act or omission thereto he caused the death of Walter Henry Doyle. Elizabeth Doyle, widow of the victim, said her husband visited the Auckland hospital on the afternoon of April 16 and returned with accused, whom she had never seen before. Accused was driving the car, although he appeared to have had liquor. Accused and deceased had a glass of beer together in the house before they left in the car to go out to New Lynn shortly before seven o’clock. Charles Ernest Cavit, St John Ambulance driver, said Doyle died in the ambulance on his way to hospital. Dr Vivian said he examined accused shortly after the accident. Accused had a marked smell of liquor about him and could not walk straight. In witness’s opinion accused had had an excessive amount of alcohol and was totally unfit to be in charge of a car. Dr Fowler, pathologist, said it was his opinion that Doyle died from haemorrhage resulting from a wound in hisxneck which severed an artery. Constable McGuire said the impact of the car with a power pole caused considerable damage to the vehicle. The windscreen was extensively smashed, specially on the passenger’s side.

Detective Cromwell said there was a strong smell of liquor in the car, beside which a broken beer bottle also lay on the footpath. He noticed accused was drunk and arrested him. After being medically examined accused said he swerved to avoid two cyclists and a blow-out in a tyre caused the car to swing on to the footpath and into a power pole. He gave his speed as 30 miles an hour. The night was fine and visibility good. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. A further charge of being intoxicated in charge of a car was adjourned until after the Supreme Court hearing. Bail of- £lOO was renewed.