FINE OF £100 FOR NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6852, 6 March 1929, Page 6

FINE OF £IOO FOR NEGLIGENT DRIVING

FOREST LAKE FATALITY. ANOTHER DRIVER FOUND NOT GUILTY. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, Last Night. Patrick Deegan, driver of tho car which crashed into a train at Forest Lake crossing, Hamilton, causing tho ■death of Alexander John Hamilton, was found not guilty of intoxication but guilty of negligent driving, with a recommendation to mercy on .account of tho dangerous nature of tho crossing. The jury added this rider: “That in view of the large increase in the number of level crossing accidents, the authorities bo urged to provide more adequate warning and that steps bo taken to remove existing obstructions to the view of approaching traffic.” In sentencing Deegan Mr. Justice Blair said he must give full effect to the jury’s recommendation. He thought the proper course was not to impose imprisonment. Tho prisoner was fined £IOO and given six months to pay. Ho wins also disqualified from holding a driver’s license at the pleasure of the Court.

Tho Court then proceeded to the trial of the third crossing fatality case this session.

Alexander Armstrong was the driver of a car wMch crashed into a train at Horotiu, near Ngarawahia, on January 1, his wife, also Airs. Phyllis Anderson and Aliss Alice Howse, both of Auckland, being killed. Evidenco was given that the crossing was dangerous and the view somewhat obscured.

The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of not guilty.