FATAL SMASH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 492, 29 June 1932, Page 7

FATAL SMASH.

SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT IN CITY. Car Driver Faces Charge. WOMAN KXU.KD ON WAT TO CHURCH. A charge of negligently driving a motor-car, thereby causing the death of Mary Gibson, aged 76 years, was preferred against Colin Campbell, of 367 Gloucester Street, in the Police Court this morning. The accident occurred on the evening of May 1, at the intersection of Oxford Terrace and Madras Street. Allegations that Campbell had been driving on the wrong side of the road and at an excessive speed were made by police witnesses. Mr 11. P. Lawry, S.M., heard the case. Sub-Inspector Edwards conducted the prosecution, and the accused was represented by counsel. Campbell pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail' was allowed in the sum of £IOO and one surety of £IOO. Police Allegations. Sub-Inspector Edwards said that it was alleged that Campbell w’as on the wrong side of the road and passed between two sets of people without seeing them until too late. One woman was struck by the car and dragged some distance. Witnesses would allege that the car was travelling at an excessive speed. Agnes Gibson, a daughter of the dead woman, said that she home on the evening of May 1 with her mother, to attend church, taking the tram from Spreydon to Armagh Street and walking along to the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church. It was 6.55 p.m. as they arrived at the Edmonds clock tower. Her mother was on the right of witness. They had not gone far over Madras Street when her mother said, ‘‘ Mind that car.” Brushed Past Her. The car was approaching at that time over the Madras Street bridge. Witness stepped slightly back and drew herself up, the car brushing against her as it went past. Witness looked to the right and her mother was gone. Witness heard her mother scream; she was dragged some distance under the car before it pulled up. When the car struck her mother it was on the wrong side of the road, but pulled over to the left afterwards. “ What did you say to the driver of the car?” asked the sub-inspector. ‘‘l do not like to say what I said. I said he wanted murdering.” Question of Speed. Did you say anything about speed? —Yes; I told him he was travelling at 40 miles an hour over the intersection. A man put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘ You are right, lady. lam with you there.” When the car stopped, her mother was still underneath. Her mother w T as 76 years of age and possessed all her faculties. Stanley James Sneddon, a plumber, of Richmond, said that he was crossing Madras Street from the opposite direction at the same time. He was much surprised to see that only one lady had been hit by the car, as both of them appeared to be in the track of the car. A man named Wilson, who was with witness, accused Campbell of travelling at 40 miles an hour. Campbell replied that the car would not do 40 miles an hour. Witness estimated the speed of the car at 30 miles an hour. The car was on its wrong side at the time of the accident. It appeared to witness that the brakes of the car were applied as soon as the woman w’as struck. Forty Miles an Hour. John Wilson, an iron moulder, said he was with Sneddon at the scene of the accident and although he was not an expert at judging speeds he thought the car involved in the accident was travelling at 40 miles an hour. Campbell said it could not do that. Harold White, of 141, Chester Street, said the car was travelling to the right of the centre of the road at a fast speed. The driver of the car said he did not see the woman. Constable Ward said he saw the driver of the car shortly after the accident. He explained that he was on the wrong side of the road as he had swerved to the right to avoid other pedestrians and could not get back to the left. In a statement to the police Campbell gave his speed as 15 miles an hour.