FATAL MOTOR CRASH

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1930, Page 15

FATAL MOTOR CRASH

BEST FRIEND A VICTIM

DRIVER TO BE._ REED

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day

Robert John Burling, aged 24, afarmer, of Piriaka, near Taumarunui, was. yesterday committed for trial in the .Supreme Court on a charge of ncgligeut driving, causing the death of one whom ho described as his "best friend." , , . •

Burling appeared.."before Mr; Lcvien, S.M., in the Police Court at. Otahuhu. The charge arose out of an- accident which occurred' at- the Mahia Bridge, south of Manurewa, on 2nd August, in which Charles Berry Simons was killed. "':•'■ .■'■'■■'

The principal witness-was Lawrence Rose, a bus driver "on the Pukekoho service. He said that Burling's ear was travelling at between 45 and "50 miles an hour when it passed'his bus near the Mahia Bridge at about 10 p.m. The'driver was taking a perfectly straight course. Witness saw through his, mirror that the car crashed against a telegraph pole instead -"of taking the bend. : The car was piled up alongside the pole. Witness and four or five passengers went back. Simons was lying face downwards on the bitumen. He was still breathing, but died almost immediately 'after., he had been turned over. The driver, who had been standing by Ms-car, got .Into' the driver's seat" "as though to drive.. away,. :.■. Witness.::warned ..Uhini that there was danger of the car catching fire.- 'Burling put his foot'on the startcr^but he took it off when witness said to him, "What abour your cobber lying down there?" Burling got out of tho car and went over to Simons. He said he hoped he 'was not dead. Witness said Bnrling was dazed, but declined, to describe his condition after such a crash. He smelt somewhat slightly of alcohol. ■■■•■•-.

I Dr., Charles Jenkins^ of Manurewa, said that death was ' instantaneous. The effect of alcohol on., tho defendant, witness considered, would be that bis judgment would be: impaired, and he would iiot be fit to drive a car. In his opinion both men had been indulging in alcoholic liquor. Burling did not know until witness told him that his friend was dead. He then broke down completely. Before that he had been rational, ■

Walter Hugh Simons, a chemist, of Hamilton, and brother of the deceased, said he had drinks with Burling and his .brother at Hamilton early in the. afternoon. Both men were quite sober when they left him.

Sergeant Eowell, of Otahuhu, produced a signed statement in which the defendant said: "My mind was .practically a blank after I left Hamilton. My first recollection is seeing:my mate on the road after the accident." Witness said Burling was^ unable to tell tho police what time he left Hamilton, but it was after dark.