HIT AND RUN CHARGE

Evening Star, Issue 22308, 7 April 1936, Page 13

HIT AND RUN CHARGE

SEQUEL TO FATAL ACCIDENT (Psk United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 6. When John William Beeston, aged 69, an inmate of the Salvation Army Home, Epsom, was walking home after church on the evening of Sunday, February 23, he was knocked down and injured by a motor car. He later died in hospital. This morning, John Reginald Smith appeared in the Police Court on summons before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., charged with negligent driving in Manukau road, also with failing to stop and render assistance, and with failing to report the accident to the police. Messrs Singer and Bryce Hart appeared for the defendant. Two young men, who were sitting on the side of the road about 8.50 and witnessed the accident, said the deceased was crossing the road. They chased the car and saw it stop in front of a block of flats some distance along the road. They took the number of the car, but when they reached it the occupant had left. The night was clear, and there was no traffic on the road.

A taxi driver gave evidence of being called to Manukau road about 9.30 p.m., where he saw a man, whom he knew as Fairley, who entered his car and was driven to a house in Market road, and thence to a house in Buckland road, Epsom. Witness now knew this to be the accused’s house.