FATAL COLLISION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21417, 10 May 1941, Page 11

FATAL COLLISION

RIDER FOUND NEGLIGENT^ MERCY RECOMMENDED (by Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Friday A jury in the Supreme Court found Claude James liegan, jockey, aged■ 31, guilty on a charge of negligently ; driving a motor-cycle on the Great North Road on January 9 so as to cause the death of John Samuel Browne. The jury added a strong recommendation to mercy. * The Crown prosecutor, Mr V. R. Meredith, said there was no suggestion of gross negligence. Accused was coming toward Auckland on a motor-cycle, and about the Whau Bridge there were two motor-trucks ' ahead of him. Accused turned out to overtake ; them and found a car coming in the ' opposite direction. Concluding that! there was not room for him to pass 1 between the lorries and the car 1 accused turned to his right across the ' front of the approaching car, and collided heavily with Browne, who was riding a bicycle in the same direction as the motor-car and closer . in to the footpath. In remanding accused on bail for i sentence on Tuesday, Mr Justice Fair j said he agreed with the verdict and would give the fullest effect to the : recommendation. * ,