DRIVER FOR TRIAL

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31598, 8 February 1968, Page 8

DRIVER FOR TRIAL

Sequel To Fatal Collision

William David Schutt, aged 50, a miner (Mr M. J. Glue), was committed for trial in the Supreme Court when he appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday on a charge of driving under the influence of drink or drugs and thereby causing the death of William David Harris on January 13. Schutt pleaded not guilty before Messrs S. F. Marshall and A. R. Chambers, Justices of the Peace.

Joseph William Groom, a driver, said that while he was outside his home in Bower Avenue on January 13 about 10.20 p.m. he saw a powercycle and a car on its wrong side of Bower Avenue collide. The car was travelling about 35 to 40 miles and hour, and the collision occurred about 50 yards from where he was standing. “After the impact, the car travelled on and I thought he was not going to stop, so I stepped out in front of him,” the witness said. “The driver mumbled something to me and I told him to back up. He did so, and I went to help the rider of the power-cycle." Dr R. Fong said that Harris was dead when the ambulance reached the hospital. Dr P. B. Maling said he examined Schutt about 11.30 p.m. on January 13 and formed the opinion that he was unfit to drive, although it was not a particularly bad case.

Evidence of hlood-alcohol analyses was given by Norman Patrick Alcorn, a Government analyst, who said a sample supplied by Schutt revealed a content of 175 milligrams. Harris’s blood had an alcohol content of 190 milligrams.

The hearing of a further charge against Schutt of driving under the influence of drink or drugs was adjourned to May 13.