A MOTOR FATALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20707, 3 May 1929, Page 9

A MOTOR FATALITY.

WOMAN DRIVER CHARGED. ACCUSED COLLAPSES IN COURT. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 2. The sequel of the fatal accident at the corner of Manchester and Belfast streets on February 21, when a man was killed and another man was seriously injured, was heard in-the Magistrate’s Court'this afternoon. Isabella Mabel Stanley, a married- woman, residing in Riccarton road, was charged that on February 21 she did negligently drive a motor car, thereby causing the death of- Stephen James Johnson. When the accident occurred Johnson and the other man (Edmund Albert Bolder), both of whom were visitors from the Auckland district, were walking at the junction of the two streets. The accident occurred about 6.30 p.m. John'Soll died a few minutes after the accident. Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., was bn the Bench; Mr F. D. Sargent appeared for the accused. Dr Bernard W. Pearcy, house surgeon at the Christchurch Hospital, said that Johnson was unconscious when admitted. He was bleeding from the right car, mouth, and nose, and suffering from shock. There -was a fracture, of the skull, but no abrasions on the head. He died at 7.20 p.m. , The, cause of death was shock due to fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain. ■ There was no trace of liquor. A man named Bolero was admitted at the same 1 time. Witness saw him, but did not examine him'. He was evidently badly injured. Donald John Macdonald, farm labourer, of Waikuku, said that he was standing at the comer at the time of the accident. At this stage the accused collapsed in the dock, where she had been seated, and had to he assisted from the court. “I am sorry, sir, but my client Is in a very had state,” said Mr Sargent to the magistrate. “We will bring chairs, and she may sit with her husband beside her,” said the magistrate. - m At counsel’s request the case was adjourned. A few minutes later the accused was able to. return to the court, and sat with her husband, as suggested by the magistrate.

Resuming his evidence, the witness Macdonald said that his attention had been attracted by a car coming along Manchester street, from the station on the wrong side of the road. It was in the middle ,of the tram tracks. A woman was driving. The car was going at an unusual speed. _ l ’ The car -was so far oh the 'wrong side of the road,? said witness, “that it drove a White Diamond taxi going in the opposite direction info the'gutter. The car then took a wide turn into Belfast street, going straight for the middle of the road. It-seemed to. put on extra ' pace. Instead of going to the ■ correct side the car accelerated and shot to the right hand side of Belfast street. , When the car turned the corner I lost sight of it. I heard a scream just as the car had disappeared.” • Edmund Albert Boldero, a gardener, of Takapuna, Auckland, said that he was' on holiday, and had arranged to meet Johnson at 6.30 p.m, somewhere near the People’s Palace, where the latter was staying. The last witness remembered was hurrying to meet Johnson. “Prom then till I . came to in the hospital my mind iaa blank,” said witness. " I was unconscious for some days, I cannot remember meeting' Johnson or being concerned in any accident. When I woke up I . wondered what had happened. I bad no liquor whatever on the day of the accident.”

Alexander Whisker, - railway , fuel supervisor, stated that; he saw one':of the men step bhck a pace whem crossing Belfast street and just then.a car came into the street oh the wrong side and struck them violently. The car mounted the footpath, struck a brick wall and continued on some distance, eventually running off the footpath and striking a stationary car. ' The lady who was. drivjo <r pot out and walked-back to where the two men were lying. The next witness saw of her was when she was assisted into the Hotel Cecil. She repeated two or three times, “ They -would not get out of my way." He estimated the car’s speed at a good 25 miles per hour. - ,

Daniel Andrews, salesman, of Dunedin, said that Johnson was quite sober ■ when he left the People’s Palace with Boldero.' Witness noticed a.car coming tip Manchester street on the side collide with a taxi travelling in the opposite,direction, the.’mudguards touching and the taxi being forced into the gutter. The other car turned into Belfast, street on its wrong side, and he saw one of 'two men pull at the other, but they were, both struck. The woman ran towards them and said in a hysterical sort of way: "I told you what would happen. Didn’t I'tell you to get out of the road? ” She asked witness if the men were-badly hurt. Witness replied: “I don’t think one has long to live.” “Oh, don’t say that! ” she exclaimed, and then fainted, Charles Robert Killick said the sun was shining right into the driver’s eyes as the car turned into Belfast street. The car’s speed was estimated by other witnesses at 12 to 25 miles per hour. Constable Schrafft stated that when he interviewed Mrs Stanley she was in a hysterical condition,'and was saving: Oh, tell me what has happened. I did not see any man until too late.” She said she was under doctor’s ; orders owing to nervous trouble. She was. told that driving the car would strengthen her nerves. Witness examined the car later and found it in good order. Although ho could not say her breath smelled of liquor, it smelled of something similar. Sergeant Harrison stated that lie interviewed the accused at her home next day. She said she did not want to make a statement, as she had' consulted her solicitor, She was in a hysterical ■u-'ie Accused said several times: “I did not kill a man. She then said: “l was not travelling fast when I ran over the man. No one will say I was. except that man at the bowser, and he does not know what he is talking about.” Addressing the court, Mr Sargent Saul he Wished to call an eve-witness of the accident who had been called at the inquest. She had volunteered to give evidence that the two men were the worse for liquor, and were arguing and ng r at the time of the gaccident. Counsel contended that if all the circumstances were explained no jury in Kew Zealand would convict,” J By calling this witness you would only complicate the position for me ” said the magistrate, “if the evidence were diametrically opposed to that S the police it would still he a matter for the jury to decide.” lor The accused pleaded not guilty, reto 1 fht o* defenc ®’ and W a s 'committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail £IOO ° Wed ln £lo ° and one surety of