CAR SOMERSAULTS

Evening Star, Issue 23560, 26 April 1940, Page 6

CAR SOMERSAULTS

CONSTABLE CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENCE 70 M.P.H. WHEN PASSING TRUCK [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 26. As a sequel to an accident in the city on February 3, Police Constable Leonard Cook appeared!'in court 'on four charges—negligent driving causing bodily injury, dangerous driving, attempting to pass a truck within 30ft of an intersection, and exceeding 30 miles an hour in the city. Cook pleaded not guilty to the summary charges, and evidence is being heard on the indictable charge. A carrier, James Lee, said that when he was turning from Linwood Avenue into Dyer’s road a car cut in front of him on the right-hand side. He swerved to the left, but the car’s mudguards touched his bumper. He estimated the speed of the car at 70 miles an hour, and the speed of his truck at 8 to 10 miles an hour. The car veered to the left on impact, then swung to the right, and somersaulted about five times. It stopped 540 ft fropi the intersection. He found Cook lying about 2ft from the car, and a young woman and a young man were also lying there. All were injured. Other witnesses gave evidence as to the car’s speed, one saying it was 70 miles an hour and another that it the fastest be had ever seen a vehicle travel.