RECKLESS DRIVING CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 253, 22 July 1936, Page 6

RECKLESS DRIVING CHARGE

Elderly Woman’s Death

WITNESSES GIVE EVIDENCE OF SPEED By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, July 21. Jack Raistrick, aged 21, a printer, was committed to the Supremo Court for trial to-day on a charge of recklessly driving a motor-cycle in Ferry Road on May 17, thereby causing the death of Helen Berry Adam, an elderly married woman. The verdict at an inquest was that Mrs Adam died in Christchurch Hospital on May 17 from heart failure associated with shock due to severe injuries when she was knocked down by a motor-cycle owned and driven by Raistrick. Accused and his pillion-rider, Leslie Wehner, were both injured in the accident, and they stated in evidence that they -had no recollection of the accident. Evidence was given by several witnesses that the machine was being driven fast immediately before the impact occurred. One witness gave the speed as 60 miles an hour; another as “Going full bore.” Others said it was going “terribly fast,” and “like a sheet of lightning.” The injuries to Mrs. Adam were a fracture of the left arm and compound fractures of both legs. She was unconscious when admitted to hospital and did not regain consciousness.