CHARGE OF NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 5

CHARGE OF NEGLIGENT DRIVING

DISMISSED BY MAGISTRATE As the result of an accident neai Seddon when his car went off the road and turned over several times, Eric H. Woods was charged before Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with driving a car without due care and attention. The Magistrate dismissed the information. Senior-Sergeant H. E. Knight said that on 7th February defendant was driving a car over the Tar Barrel Hill near Seddon at 4.30 o’clock in the afternoon. He had a lady passenger and he leaned over to adjust the sun visor for her the car slipped back off the road, turning over several times. Defendant received only minor injuries but the passenger sustained severe injuries and had been in hospital since. He read a statement by the defendant who described the incident. Defendant had said that when adjusting the visor for his passenger. Mrs Gould, the back of the car slid off the road, due to loose metal and the camber of the road. It rolled over at least three times and then landed on its wheels.

Defendant in evidence said tha* his statement was in order but he did not think he was negligent in adjusting the visor. He kept one hand on the steering wheel. Due to *the loos* gravel and corrugations the back wheels skidded and the car moved sideways. It would not have made any difference if he had not been adjusting the visor. His Worship said he thought there was a substantial element of pure accident and in the circumstances he would dismiss the information.