Youth “Played Chicken” On State Highway

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30936, 17 December 1965, Page 7

Youth “Played Chicken” On State Highway

W.t. Preu Association) AUCKLAND, Dec 16. Peter Conrad McKeUar, aged I#, wto admitted a charge of dangerous driving causing death, “appeared to be playing the well-known Kame of chicken." Senior Sergeant B. T. N. Hutton said when McKellar appeared before Mr H Jenner Wily. As a result of an accident on September 18 about a mile south of Puhoi, the driver and a passnger of a car were killed, said Mr Hutton. He said McKellar drove to the Puhoi Hotel where he drank six glasses of beer. He left the hotel and drove along Puhoi road and, on approaching a right-hand bend, veered on to the wrong side of the road forcing an oncoming car to leave the road to avoid a collision. Turning on to the State highway, McKellar drove at about 48 m.p.h. His car swerving over the road. •After travelling nearly a mile, McKellar again veered across the centre line, but he

moved across the road just in time to avoid a coiliskm. “He swung acrons the road again and while completely on the wrong aide of the road collided head-on with another on-coming vehicle. As a result, the driver, John Frederick Murray, and a passenger, Claude Wintie, in the other car were killed, and two others were seriously injured,” said Mr Hutton. McKellar and a passenger in his car were also seriously injured. In a statement, McKellar said he could remember leaving the Puhoi Hotel at about 6.15 p.m. on September 18 after drinking some beer, but could not remember anything else after. His counsel. Mr P. Towle, said that in view of the serious nature of the offence, he would reserve his submissions. Refusing an application for bail, the Magistrate convicted and remanded McKellar until December 22 for sentence.