HUTT ROAD SMASH

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 189, 8 May 1931, Page 11

HUTT ROAD SMASH

Charge of Intoxication FINE AND SUSPENSION With his nose still bandaged, Cyrfi George Carey, farmer, aged 53, whose car struck the central concrete pillar of the new overhead railway bridge on the Hutt Road on Monday last, appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, when he admitted being in a state of intoxication while in- charge of the vehicle. Accused was fined £lO and iris license was suspended for six months. Sub-Inspector Lopdell said that Carey was a farmer of-Te Kopi, Masterton, and had come to the city to make some purchases. When returning he was followed along the Hutt Road by a railway, bus, tlie driver of which stated Carey was “driving all over the road.” Approaching the new overhead bridge he kept a course for two or three chains which re-, suited in his car crashing into the centre of the pillar. His speed was estimated at 25 miles an 'hour. The car was completely wrecked and Carey suffered injury.

The police arrived on the scene from twenty minutes to half an hour later. Two men were then trying to get Carey away and resented interference by the police. Accused was a single man and there was nothing known against him previously. His brother had told the police that he was a man of sober habits but that if he did take a drink it upset him.

Mr. VViren, for Carey, said his instructions were that his client had only one drink —a gin—on the day of the accident. He said that he had been dazzled by the lights of an approaching car, and that after that he did not remember anything. Counsel submitted that accused-had already been punished more than sufficient.

The magistrate: The accused has suffered substantial monetary loss as a result of this accident and I take that into consideration in fixing the amount of the fine. ■