FINED £100

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 53, 6 March 1929, Page 10

FINED £100

SEQUEL TO CROSSING FATALITY

(By .Telegraph.T-Press,. Association.)

HAMILTON, sth March. Patrick Deegan, driver of a car which' crashed into a train at the Forest Lake crossing, near Hamilton, causing the death of Alexander John Hamilton, was found not guilty, of intoxication, but guilty of negligent driving with v recommendation to mercy on account of the dangerous nature of the crossing. The jury added a rider: "Thai in view of tho largo increased number of level crossing accidents tho authorities be irged to provide more adequate warnings, and 'steps be taken to remove tlie existing obstructions to the view of approaching traflic. " In sentencing Deegan, Mr. Justice Blair said ho must give full offeet to the jury's recommendation. He thought Hie proper course was not to impose imprisonment. Prisoner was fined £300. He was given six months to pay, and was also disqualified from liojding a driver's, license at the pleasure of the Court.

The Court proceeded to tho trial of the third crossing fatality caso this session. Alexander Armstrong was tho driver of a car which crashed into a train at Ilorotiu, near Ngaruawahia, on Ist January. His wife, also Mrs. Phyllis Anderson, and Miss Alice Howse both of Auckland, were killed. Evidence was given that-the crossing was dangerous, and the view somewhat obscured. • The jury, without retiring, returned a vprdict of not guilty.