DEATH OF CYCLIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 14

DEATH OF CYCLIST

MOTOR-DRIVER ON TRIAL CHARGE OF NEGLIGENCE MADE REMUERA ROAD FATALITY Arising from a fatal accident in Remuera Road, near Basselt Road, on the morning of May 19, a charge of negligently driving a motor-van, causing the death of Norman Georgo Shailer, was preferred against Oscar Ernest Fletcher, aged 17, motor-driver, in tho Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Smith. Joyce Radermaohcr said at about 7.30 o'clock she was near the corner of Remuera Road and Dilworth Avenuo when she saw a cycle ridden by deceased proceed up Bassett Road, opposite Dilworth Avenue. Tho cycle, which was on its correct side and was taking a straight course closo to the kerb, turned into Romuera Road in the direction of Newmarket. Witness then saw a motor-van, driven by accused, travelling along Remuera Road behind tho cycle. Tho van was moving at a "shocking" speed. Tho van overtook and struck the cyclist about 10 yards past Dilworth Avenue, witness" said. It stopped opposite tho new St. Luko's Church. The drivor of the van did not sound tho horn. Corroborative evidence was given by Ethel Radermacher, who said tho van was travelling very fast. Replying to counsel for the defence, witness said tho van was making a good deal of noise. A milk roundsman, Frederick Stanley Nicholson, said tho van passed him before it reached Dilworth Avenue. Witness was travelling in a car, in tho same direction as accused, at about 30 miles an hour, but accused passed him. He estimated accused's speed as half as fast again as his own. The Crown Prosecutor: lou went up to accused after the accident ? Witness: Yes, I asked him about tho speed ho was doing, and ho said ho was travelling at 45 miles an hour. Two employees at the automatic telephone exchango in Dilworth Avenue stated they heard a vehicle coming along Remuera Road am), saw it flash past, a crash being he.Trd almost at the same time. They found deceased lying on the outward train lines and his bicycle was some distance further toward Newmarket. One witness estimated the speed at 40 miles an hour. The conversation in which accused stated ho was travelling at 45 miles an hour was corroborated by the other witness. At this stago tho case was adjourned until this morning. .