ACCIDENT SEQUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 11

ACCIDENT SEQUEL

MOTORIST CHARGED

MISHAP IN. THE NO*RTH

FAILURE TP STOP: ALLEGED

Charged-with failing to stop or• to ascertain) whether he had injured anyone after an accident with a motorcar in the charge* of John Cuthbert Cooper near Towai on March 17, George Alfred Harris (Mr. Turner) appeared before Mr. Justice Cajllan in the Supreme -Court yesterday. He pleaded not guilty. . • • . .. Mr. G. S. R, " Meredith, who represented the Crown, said- Mr.. Cooper was driving from Whangarei to Kaikohe on the 'night.".in question, and when, two miles north of .Towai he saw a car approaching on a bend on its wrong side. He pulled in so close to the bank that his .left mudguard was damaged, but even so the approaching car struck; the right mudguard of Mr. Cooper's car with considerable force-and damaged the wheel. Mr. Cooper alighted and shouted, but, it was,alleged, the other car did not stop. Pursuit of a Oar Mr. Cooper, turned round and set olf in-pursuit of the other car, Mr. Meredith continued, but, after a few miles, gave up and turned ~ back. On passing the Towai Hotel, lie saw accused's car and spoke to accused, whom he knew. He told accused about the accident, but, it was claimed, accused did not say he was involved in it. Mr. Meredith added that a constable found on the scene of the accident part of a running board and a tail light ring, both of which were later identified as from accused's car. Interviewed by a constable accused denied being involved in an accident that night and said his car had been' damaged on a trip to Auckland. When told that the parts found at the scene fitted his car he admitted being in a collision and said lie had not stopped, but was satisfied no one was injured. Evidence was given on the lines of Mr. Meredith's opening. To Mr. Turner, John Cuthbert Cooper denied that accused told him anything about being,in an accident on the night of the accident, although he admitted accused said something about a previous accident. He was certain accused did • not stop in the first bend after the accident and. look back. Case lor Defence • ' For the defence Mr. Turner 'said it would be shown that accused felt no impact. He heard a slight lioise and in the next heiul felt his mudguard scraping. He stopped, straightened the mudguard and, realising he'must have made contact with the other car, looked up the road. He saw the lights of the other car begin to move and presumed it was proceeding on its way. Mr. Cooper's car passed through Towai in pursuit of the car'which had struck it and came back to the hotel from the opposite direction from that in which the accident occurred, said Mr. Turner. Consequently, accused did not imagine Mr. Cooper was talking of the accident in which lie .was involved. He mentioned this accident but neither man realised they were referring to the same mishap. Evidence to this effect was given by accused. To Mr. Meredith he said that in the conversation with the constable no mention whatever was made about stopping after the accident. It was quite true that his car had been damaged on a trip to Auckland. The hearing was adjourned until this morning.