FATAL ACCIDENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20105, 11 May 1935, Page 19

FATAL ACCIDENT

CHARGE AGAINST MOTORIST By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. May 10. A sequel to a fatal accident on Christmas Eve. was the trial to-day of James Killen, farmer of Matangi, on a charge of negligent driving, causing the death of Rose Morrison. The accused got into a car which was parked in the street, and it bounded forward into the footpath, and plunged along for 77 feet. Mrs Morrison, who was out doing Christmas shopping, was knocked down, as well as seven others, who had to be taken to hospital. The others were knocked down, but not seriously hurt. The Crown Prosecutor said the main issue was whether the accused should have made certain that the car was not in gear before he pressed the selfstarter. It was for the jury to decide, remembering that the street was crowded on the busiest night of the year, whether the accused took reasonable care. The police evidence was that accused was sober, and in a statement said he had never taken intoxicants in his life. He could not remember whether he put the car out of gear when he parked it. The jury found a verdict of not guilty.