MIND A BLANK

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 284, 27 August 1930, Page 13

MIND A BLANK

Fatal Road Smash DRIVER IN COURT Dominion Special. Service. Auckland, August 26. Robert John Burling, aged 24, a farmer, of Piriaka, near Taumarunui, was to-day committed for trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of negligent ’ driving, causing the death of one whom ho, described as liis “best friend.” Burling appeared before Mr. Levien, S.M., in the Police Court at Otahuhu. The charge arose out of an accident which occurred at Mahia bridge, south of Manurewa, on August 2, in which Charles Berry Simons was killed. The principal witness was Lawrence Rose, a bus driver on the Pukekohe service. He said Burling’s car was travelling at between 45 and 50 miles an hour when It passed his bus near Mahia bridge at about 10 p.m. The driver was taking a perfectly straight course. Witness saw through his mirror that the car crashed against a telegraph pole instead o£ taking the bend. The car' was piled up alongside the pole. Witness and four or five passengers wqnt back. Simons was lying face downwards on the bitumen. He was still breathing, but died almost immediately after he had been turned over. The driver, who had been standing by his car, got into the driver’s seat as though to drive away. / Witness warned him that there was danger of the car catching fire. Burling put his foot on the starter but he took it off when witness said, to him, “What about your cobber lying down there?” Burling got out of the car and went over to Simons. He said lie hoped be was not dead. Witness said Burling was dazed, but be (witness) declined to describe his condition after such a crash. He smelt somewhat slightly - ot alcohol. . Dr. Charles Jenkins, of Manurewa, said that death was instantaneous. Thu effect of alcohol on defendant, .• witness considered, would be that his judgment would be impaired, and he would not be fit to drive a car. In his opinion both men had been indulging in alcoholic liquor. Burling did not know until witness told him that his friend was dead. He then broke down completely. Before that he had been rational. Walter Hugh Simons, a chemist, of Hamilton, and brother of deceased, said he had drinks with Burling and his brother'at Hamilton early in the afternoon. Both men were quite- sober when they Rowell, of Otahuhu, produced a signed statement in which defendant said: “My mind was practically a blank after I left Hamilton. My first recollection is seeing my mate on the road after the accident.” Witness said Burling was unable to tell the police what time he left Hamilton, but it was .after dark.