HUTT ROAD SMASH

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1928, Page 5

HUTT ROAD SMASH

Horse Trainer Acquitted OF NEGLIGENT DRIVING CHARGE. WELLINGTON, February 9. After three-quarters of an hour retirement, the jury returned a verdict of not. guilty against Albert Goodman, of Trentham.. a horse trainer, who was charged in the Supreme Court, before the Chief Justice, with negligently driving a motor car on the Upper Hutt Road, thereby causing bodily injury co Percy John Aldridge and Norman Parata, by colliding with a motor cycle on which the two were riding.

Both Aldridge and Parata had had their right legs broken. Aldridge’s leg had to be amputated, and Parata was still in hospital. The case for the Crown was heard or. Wednesday.

Mr H. F. O’Leary, for accused, said that Goodman was travelling at a reasonable speed, from 20 to 25 miles an hour, and he was perfectly sober. His view of the road ahead was obstructed by a car in front of him, and when he pulled over to pass it, there suddenly flashed up in front of him a motor cycle with two men on it. It was too late to avoid a collision. The reasonableness of Goodman ’s speed and testimony to his complete sobriety was corroborated by several witnesses. The motor cycle was also stated to be travelling at a fast speed. illness.