MOTORIST CHARGED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 84, 19 January 1928, Page 6

MOTORIST CHARGED

RECKLESS DRIVING ALLEGED.

CYCLISTS INJURED IN COLLISION

(Per Press Association ) WELLINGTON, January ,18. A collision between a motor-car and a motor-cycle at Upper Hutt on September 17 had its sequel in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when the driver of the car, Albert Goodman, was charged with reckless and negligent driving and causing bodily injuries to the riders of the motor-cycle, Percy John Aldridge and Norman Parata. Mr' E. Page, S.M., was on the Bench. Evidence was given by Albert Whiteman that he was riding a motor-cycle in company with Aldridge and Parata, who were on one machine. As 1 they were approaching, two motor-cars, one driven by Goodman, which was in the rear, shot out from behind the other and struck the motor-cycle. Witness did not hear a horn sounded before the car attempted to pass. - Witness found Goodman to be intoxicated after the accident. ? ,

Wilson Alfred. Hazelwood, who was driving the other car, said he was travelling at about 25 miles an hour. He did not hear a horn sounded, and had not slowed down himself.

Percy John Aldridge, who had. to be . assisted into Court, stated that he and liia companion had consumed one bottle' of beer before the accident. The two motor-cycles were abreast and travelling at between, 15 and 20 miles per hour. When witness first saw the 1 ears he accelerated and passed Whiteman, watching the first car closely. Then the second car shot out, giving witness no chance to avoid a collision. The motor-cycle was on its extreme left when it was struck. Witness had hisleft arm and leg broken, and ihe leg had since been amputated. The first car,' witness considered, was doing about 25 miles an hour. Goodman’s tlpeed when he pulled out would be about 60 miles an hour. At no time was witness exceeding 25 miles an hour. H.e admitted that he was not licensed to drive a motor-cycle. Witness said ho tried to swerve in towards the centre of the road when he saw that an impact ’ was inevitable, as he thought Goodman was going well over on his wrong side. Morris Paul Nottingham, a bystander, said, it appeared to him *bai the car in front of Goodman’s , stopped suddenly, and 1 Goodman swung out to avoid it. Questioned by the Magistrate, witness said he was an acquaintance of Goodman’s, and they had spoken to each other of the accident. 1 Another witness stated that the car, just before the accident, was going at about, 50 miles an hour. His opinion was that Goodman was intoxicated. ; , Other evidence of Goodman’s speed - was given, and two witnesses said that j Goodman was sober.; ( This concluded the case for the ; Grown. ; 1 The case was adjourned till January j 30- Bail was renewed. .