A CHARGE OF SPEEDING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20006, 25 January 1927, Page 15

A CHARGE OF SPEEDING

PEDESTRIAN SEVERELY INJURED. THE CASE ADJOURNED. Walter Philip Hailes was charged with having driven along the Anderson's Bay road at a dangerous speed; with failing to stop after an accident had occurred; and with failing tp notify the police of the accident. Defendant pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Hanlon. Chief Detective Cameron suggested that the three charges might Ido heard together, which was agreed to. Tne facts, as stated by the chief detective, were that defendant had a motor car of very high power, and on New Year’s Eve, with three others he came along the Anderson's Bay road at what would be described as a terrific pace. When at the intersection of the Anderson b Bay road with Princes street, near the Southern Hotel, it would be shown that his car struck a man, with the result that the man was rendered unconscious and taken to the Hospital, and operated upon. He was still in the Hospital, and he (the chief detective) was not calling him. The injured man was recovering and was now quite out of danger. The police would rely upon the evidence they had as to the defendant going at a terrific pace. When the car struck the man it swerved slightly, and continued on its way to the city along Princes street. Defendant had not reported the matter to the police, and had not stopped. There was positive identification that the car was defendant’s and it was the only type ot that car here. Defendant was identified as being the person seen driving the car, ana he had been seen driving at 35 to 40 miles an hour immediately after the accident. Defendant said ho was not aware that any accident had occurred. It was a few minutes before 1 o’clock in the morning when the accident occurred. William Ernest Poxton, tram conductor, said he knocked off work at 0.45 a.m. on the morning of January 1, and went over towards the Oval and along Anderson’s Bay road. About 40 yards from the corner he noticed a car with very powerful headlights travelling at a very high speed towards him. He heard a crash and saw a man struck by the mudguard .turn a complete somersault and fall near the left hand rear wheel. The car did not slacken ! speed, but continued on its way. Witness | tried to get the number of the car. He , then rang up the police and tried to get I the ambulance. The car was a super car—one of the best makes. “An aristocratic car, I would call it,” said witness. It was either a Chrysler or a Flint car. Its j colour was grey. i To Mr Hanlon: He had gone 40 yards i past the comer when the car passed him. There was an oval window in the back of the car. It was at Manor place when he noticed the hood. Witness was further closely crossexamined by Mr Hanlon as to the appearance of the car. The case was, at this stage, adjourned till next Monday.