RECKLESS DRIVING

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 256, 27 July 1939, Page 6

RECKLESS DRIVING

Death Of Three Wellington People DRIVER FOUND GUILTY By Telegraph—Press Association. HAMILTON, July 26. After a visit to the scene of the accident this morning a jury returned a verdict of guilty in a case in the Supreme Court in which Louis Carlo Appleton, aged 24, carrying contractor, was charged with reckless driving and causing the deaths of three people. Evidence was given of the accused stopping at four hotels from Te Puke to Te Aroha, of excessive sjreeding at times during the journey, and of an accident occurring on a bend, the accused being on the wrong side of the road when travelling at a high speed. For the defence it was claimed that the accused was forced to the wrong side of the road on a corner because the other car was first on its incorrect side. A head-on collision occurred. Thrbe Wellington people, Mr. John Staples, aged 59, boot manufacturer, his wife, Mrs. Florence Staples, aged 46, and Miss Frances Carnegie, aged 22< were killed. Miss Carnegie’s fiance, Mr. Arthur Staples, was seriously injured. Three passengers in the coupe driven by accused were all slightly injured, both cars being practically totally wrecked. Accused was remanded for sentence.