SEQUELS TO FATALITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20228, 12 April 1929, Page 14

SEQUELS TO FATALITIES.

MOTOR-VAN STRIKES CHILD.

CHARGE AGAINST DRIVER

ALLEGATION OF NEGLIGENCE

A plea of not guilty was made by Ilcctor Robert Sommervillo, a young butcher (Mr. McVeagh), when charged in tho Police Court yesterday with having so negligently driven a motor-van nlong Dominion Road on February 16 that he caused the death of an infant, George Summers, aged two years, son of Mr. Richard H. Summers, of Jellicoo Avenue, Mount Roskill. "The cause of death was shock and head injuries," said Dr. G. J. \G. Britton, of tho Auckland Hospital. In a statement to the police Sommervillo said he had been driving toward (ho terminus from Mount Albert Road, and when a short distance from the road he ran into a small boy, who was wheeling a trolley across the road. lie did not sec tho boy until tho van was right on top of him. There was a stone wall with a gateway in it, near the scene of the accident, and ho thought the boy rushed out of the gateway and ran across the road in front of the van. Accused said as soon as lie found he had iiit something he applied his brakes, and on getting out of his van he saw the boy, whom ho picked up and carried into a shop. Ho rang Dr. Dreadon, who ordered the boy's removal to the hospital. The father of the child was at the scene of tho accident within a few minutes. Sornrnerville estimated ins speed at between 12 and 15 miles an hour.

Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed.

DEATH OF MAORI YOUTH

DRIVER OF TAXI CHARGED

Tho hearing of evidence was concluded in the Police Court yesterday in tho rase of John Elliott, taxi-driver, of East Tamaki (Mr. Mackay), who pleaded not guilty lo 'a charge of having recklessly driven J.is motor-car oil Christmas Day at, Wiri, thereby causing the death of a Maori yout.li, Peri Rangi.

Evidence was to the effect that deceased and another man had been riding on a running board of tho car, and as the car rounded a corner thev fell off.

Accused was committed to tho Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed.