NEGLIGENT DRIVING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 10

NEGLIGENT DRIVING.

I COLLISION AT INTERSECTION. DEFENDANT TO PAY COSTS. Arising out of a collision between two motor cars in Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, on the night of March _'2. Cyril Douglas Ilits.li.ti (Mr. -Northcroft) appeared in the Police Court yesterday afternoon on :i charge of dangerous 'driving. He pleaded nut guilty. I Senior Sergeant ltawlc prosecuted. :aud Mr. Wilson appeared for the insurjauce companies concerned. I The driver of the other car coueernen I ill the collision, Hoy Collins, deposed | that at II.A. p.m., while returning from 11lie Muriwai races with live passengers. ;he saw tbe lights of defendant's car ! turning into Williamson Avenue out nf Surrey Street at a speed which wit- ; ness estimated to be between .0 and ;!•"> miles per hour. Although witness swerved his car into Surrey Street, to avoid a head-on collision and applied his brakes, defendant's car struck his pushing it into the kcrbing. As a re[suit the car was damaged to the extent, of about £_00. Witness sustained v sprained wrist, lie did not lose consciousness. When he looked round defendant's car had disappeared. His father. Mr. William C.lliii-. who was in the rear seal, was rendered unconscious. Cross-examined by Mr. Northcroft witness said the speed of his car was not more than _0 miles an hour. The car was not overcrowded. Other witnesses fur the prosecution said that defendant, some days after the accident, said that he did not stop after the collision because he "had the wind up." Mr. Northcroft. for the defence, admitted that defendant's action in proceeding on after the collision seemed, suspicious, but it could -be said in extenuation that the young man was in a panic. It was the other young man Collins who was speeding and who failed to keep a proper look out. Mr. Poynton said that be was quite satisfied that Rusden was going too fast to have a chance of avoiding the accident. There was the question of contributory negligence. Both drivers were liable to prosecution. However, as the defendant would probably have to meet a claim for damages, the magistrate said that ho would not inflict a heavy penalty. Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs amounting to £8 .1/.