WOMAN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 16

WOMAN'S DEATH

iYOUTIi ON TEIAL NEGLIGENT DRIVING CHARGE ACCIDENT AT PANMURE The trial of a storcman, Horace Leonard Sanderson, aged 18 (Mr. Finlay and Mr. Robb), on a charge of negligently driving a motor-car so as to cause death, was begun before Mr. Justice l-'air in the Supremo Court yesterday, The accident happened on August 19, when accused's car came into collision with a cycle ridden by Mrs. Charlotte Ann Rogers, and her death resulted. Mr. V. 11. Meredith, who represented the Grown, said the scene of the accident was Harding Avenue, close to Panmuro. Accused was driving up the avenue and going to turn to his left. Mrs. Rogers was cycling in the opposite direction round the corner on her correct side of the road. When accused took the corner he wont so far over to his wrong side that ho was within ISin. of the kerb, Mr. Meredith continued. To avoid him Mrs. Rogers pulled not only to the right of the metal, but right across the grass border almost to the kerb. The impact must have been a comparatively severe one. The sun was glaring fairly brightly at the time. Accused stated afterward that he did not see the cyclist until he had begun to turn the corner on account of the sun being in his eyes. Evidence was given by a man, who said he saw accused shading his eyes shortly before the accident, and by witnesses who were on the scene just afterward. It was stated that the victim of the accident died just as the ambulance arrived. Accused had told a constable that he had obtained his driving _ licence in the month prior to the accident. Dr. R. F. Moody said that the causes of Mrs. Rogers' death wore fracture of the skull and injury to the brain. At the close of the day arrangements were made for the jury to visit the scene of the collision before the Court resumes this morning. An application by Mr. Finlay that accused be released on bail was declined by His Honor.