DRIVER CHARGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 12

DRIVER CHARGED.

ACCIDENT SEQUEL.

INJURY TO WOMAN. NEGLIGENCE IB ALLEGED. As a sequel to an accident at I'arnell Ki-o on the evening of September 17 last, John Irvine Crawford, a young man, npjteared before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury in the Supreme Court to-day on charges of causing bodily injury while ill r state of intoxication in charge, of a motor car. causing bodily injury by negligently driving a motor car," and failing to stop after an accident. Mr. V. K. .Meredith conducted the case for the Crown, and Mr. J. Hogbeu appeared for" accused, who pleaded not guilty. Mr. Meredith said that there were several counts a* the result of an accident in which a woman was knocked down and Injured. It would be alleged that the car did not stop, but in a few minute* it returned. John Kugene MeShane, car salesman, said he was driving U( , J'arnell Kise about six or ten minutes past six on the evening ill question. There was a car ahead of him juet before the aceid< nt occurred. He «aw two ladies ahead crossing from the right to the left *icle of the road. Witness heard a smack, heard a woman scream. It was all over in a few seconds. When accused came up witness thought that he had had a few drinks. Witness then went to get an ambulance. In cross-examination witnese said that he had been in an hote! a little before fix o'clock with another man. He thought they had two or three "half handles." Witness said that be wae quite sober. Tasker Lindsay Coyle said he was in the car with the previous witness. He wa« attracted by his companion saying: "Look!" and then he saw a car and a body thrown on the roadway. The visibility wae bad, but the street lights were on. Kobert Joseph James, commercial traveller, said that his car was parked. He heard a smack, ahd saw something being hurled acroes the road. Constable D. S. (Jal)agher said that he saw accused after the accident. He had control of himself, but was very slow in answers to questions. Witness could not smell drink on him, but formed the opinion that he was intdxicated. (Proceeding.)