Death of Girl

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 22, 29 October 1941, Page 5

Death of Girl

CHARGE OP NEGLIGENT DRIVING Charged with causing the death of Joyco Lucy Fokerd through the negligent driving of £is f motor car, David Mcl'herson, > carplnter, aged 23, pleaded not guiHy in Supreme Court. Mrjr. C. it. K.C., with him Mr. W. R." Birks, appeared • for 1 the Crown," arfjS*TCr?r" , "E r '. W. Ongley for the accused. The accident occurred on Randwick Road, Mpera, on February 22 last. Mr. Weston said that it would be claimed that the accused was not keeping a proper look-out, waß driving close behind another car in front, and also cut the; corner going

into York Street. There WaS no suggestion of drink. The deceased and her father were cycling south, the father being about 10 yards behind his daughter, ancfj ifoUiibplng on their right side of the road. She was strftck by the car's bumper and received severe injuries. She.died on May 21 as the result of a ruptured liver. In his statement, said Mr. Weston, the accused admitted that he was travelling too close behind the car in front and that he v <}ld not see the girl in front. The "Crown claimed that he was on his incorrect side when he struck the girl.

Accused, in his evidence, said he bought the car for £15, and on the night of the accident attended a dance at Petone. On returning from the dance a car was just in front of him as he was approaching the York Street intersection. The next thing he knew, a girl on a bicycle was right in front of his car. When he pulled hard to the right the girl turned in the same direction, and a collision occurred. •>

The accused was found guilty by the jury after a retirement of just over half an hour.

Hfs Honor said the case was not a bad one. There had 'befcfi no suggestion of alcohol and the prisoner had suffered mental distress over the killing of the girl. He thought the prisoner would be sufficiently punished if he were prohibited from driving. His present licence would be cancelled and he would be prohibited from obtaining another for live years.