WILD DRIVE IN CITY

Southland Times, Issue 24685, 5 March 1942, Page 3

WILD DRIVE IN CITY

Intoxicated Motorist Sent To Prison An extraordinary story of the wild career of a motorist through city streets at a high speed on Tuesday evening was told in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday when John Kevem, a hawker, aged 58, was charged with intoxication while in charge of a motor-truck. An indictable charge of failing to stop after an accident was also preferred and on this a remand until next Thursday was granted. Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., described the intoxication charge as one of the worst which had come before him, and he convicted Kevern and sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment. He cancelled his driver’s licence and prohibited him from obtaining another for three years. Mr J. C. Prain appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty. Senior Sergeant W. T. Kelly, who prosecuted, said Traffic Inspectors Arthur and Forno saw the accused turn south at Cooper’s corner on the North road on Tuesday evening and zig-zag wildly along the road at a high speed. They gave chase, but each time that they drew level with Kevern he accelerated. Just before reaching the Waikiwi stream they passed him and with the siren sounding continuously they continued ahead clearing traffic from the road. As the accused drove across the bridge he struck a small car which was travelling in the opposite direction and stripped mudguards and running board from it. He was then catching the inspectors’ car, which was travelling at 60 miles an hour. BOTTLES SENT FLYING He continues on his furious course on the wrong side of the road and at Bainfield road, Waikiwi, swung round the corner on his wrong side, narrowly missing a post and dislodging two sacks of bottles and a bag of fat from his truck. He turned into Elies road with difficulty and drove fast on his wrong side. He kept leaning out of the cab and beckoning to the officers to try to pass him. They finally passed him on the wrong side just south of Herbert street and proceeded ahead of him with the siren sounding continuously as a warning to traffic. Kevern .crossed Tay street and the railway line at more than 50 miles an hour and turned left at Tweed street into Oteramika road. When he first arrived at his house he was unable to turn in at the gateway and continued around the He rushed inside, took off his coat, and showed fight to the traffic inspectors, calling them agents of the Gestapo. The police were sent for and two constables had to handcuff him to arrest him. The chase had lasted for nine miles. He was examined by Dr Barclay and certified as unfit to drive. He had been convicted in 1938 for a similar offence and had a long list of convictions caused by drink. Mr J. C. Prain, who appeared for the accused, said the two charges arose from the one incident and the penalty on the intoxication charge should be left until later. The accused proposed to sell his truck and take labouring work and never drive again. The Magistrate said he could not allow the accused his liberty and his licence while the other charge was pending.