CAR HITS BRIDGE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 144, 15 March 1934, Page 11

CAR HITS BRIDGE

Hutt Road Accident FINE FOR PETTY OFFICER A motor-car collision with a pillar of the overhead bridge on the Hutt Road between Kaiwarra and Wellington at 2 o’clock yesterday morning led to the driver of the car, Jack Stephens Boyd, a petty officer of 11.A1.5. Diomede, being fined £l9 and costs by Air. E. Page, S.AL, for being drunk in charge ot the’car. A plea of not guilty was entered. . Sub-Inspector Alartin said the right side of the car had collided with some part of the bridge, and considerable damage had been done to the car. Accused, he said, had injured his head and was obviously intoxicated. Police-Constable Spence, who went to the scene immediately after the accident, said he noticed a strong smell of liquor on accused. He was unsteady on his feet, his speech was very thick, and he was not fit to drive a ear. There were three broken glasses in the car. Witness took him to the Central Police Station, and then to the hospital, where stitches were put in his head. Dr. C. F. Pattie, who examined accused at the station, considered he was definitely under the influence of liquor. Further police evidence was also called to this effect. A statement from accused was read by an officer from his ship, who appeared in defence. Accused, he said, went ashore at 5 p.m. on AVeduesday. The night before he had been ou duty, and therefore was very sleepy and tired. He set out to drive to Featherston, went for about 40 miles, then gave up the idea and drove back. He remembered nothing of the crash, and thought he must have gone to sleep at the wheel. He emphatically denied lie had had liquor, and said the glasses had been in the car for a long time. A telegraphist from 11.A1.5. Diomede said that the car passed him just before the accident, and was going at a reasonable speed. He considered that accused’s condition was due to shock.

Accused, said the magistrate, had been examined by three police officers and by Dr. Pattie, and all agreed he was in a state of intoxication. The whole weight of evidence was.against him. However, he appeared to have a very good character in the Navy and would be convicted and fined £lO.