FATAL ACCIDENT

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21418, 12 May 1941, Page 8

FATAL ACCIDENT

DRIVER FACES CHARGE ACCIDENT AT HILLCREST SUPREME COURT HEARING A sequel to a fatal accident which occurred at Hillcrest on March 13 took place in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, today when William Reid Douglas, aged 27, motionpicture projectionist, of Morrinsville, appeared before Mr Justice Johnston on a charge of negligently driving a car so as to cause the death of Miss Myra Minnie Cootes. The case for the Crown was conducted by Mr J. R. Fitz Gerald. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr J. F. Strang. Opening the case for the Crown, Mr Fitz Gerald said the accident took place just after midnight about 300 yards on the Hamilton side of the Cambridge turn-off. Between 11 p.m. and midnight Douglas left Morrinsville for Hamilton in a taxi which he borrowed for the purpose. Miss Cootes was one of the passengers. Shortly before the fatality, continued Mr Fitz Gerald, a man named Sanders, who was at the Cambridge turn-off, heard a car approaching at about 65 or 70 miles an hour. There was a gentle bend at the locality and in negotiating it the vehicle, which was driven by Douglas, almost collided with a power pole. It carried on and swayed over the road until it finished up with a terrific crash against a power pole. Douglas later claimed that the steering gear had jammed. After the accident Douglas threw away a package from the car, and when it was recovered it was found to con- | tain broken beer bottles. The pas- : sengers were injured and Miss j Cootes died in hospital later. (Proceeding)