Norwich bulletin., 1913-07-01
Boy Chauffeur
 Had No License
CORONER FINDS THE LAW WAS
 piSREGARDED
FATHER PERMITTED IT
Question Raised as to Whether They Are Not Amenable to Prosecution Ran Down Boy and Killed Him.

J CT Mix does not hold Charles R.. Brock, 16 years old, of Hamden, crim- inal1y responsible for the death of Carlo Ruggiero, aged 9 years, who was killed in this city on June 19 by an automobile driven by Brock. This Is the coroner's finding made public to- night Coroner Mix says, however, that there are certain circumstances connected with the case which he deems it important to incorporate in his finding, his observations being i'm pelled by "the growing disregard of the provisions of the motor vehicle law" He says that as Brock was only 16 years old and unaccompanied by a licensed operator, his driving of the car was a violation of the law As to whether this violation renders him cr1minally liable for hmicide, the cor oner expresses, he says, mo definite conclusion" He further points out that it was an offense under the law for Broke to drive away as he did without stopping after hitting the boy.
 speeded Up Car After Accident.
 The finding says that the Ruggiero boy was riding on the rear of mo- tor truck and dropped off that and ran directly into the path of the Brock car, being struck down and almost in- stantly killed. The truck was travel ling in a direction opposite to that of the Brock car. After striking the boy Brock the finding continues, with out bringing his vehicle to a stop. in- creased the speed of the same and drove off. In the car with him was his brother and a seven years old boy. After detailing further developments, all of which have been published, the finding continues:
 Not Running Car ReckIessIy.
 From my investigation I am satis- fled that Brock was not operating said motor vehicle in a grossly, negligent and reckless manner, or with a reck- less disregard for the safety of others while passing said motor truck, and on that account I find said death was not caused by the criminal act, omis- sion or carelessness of said Brock.
 There are certain circumstances however, appearing in the investiga- ton of this case which I deem import ant and necessary to incorporate in this finding. 4 portion of section five reads as follows
 "tNo person shall operate motor vehicle upon the public highways o1 this state until he shall have obtained from the secretary a license for that purpose, but no such license shall be issued until such secretary is satisfied that the applicant is over eighteen years of age and is proper person tc receive it."
 Had No Right to Operate Gar.
 The coroner points out that the law provides a penalty of not more than $100 fine or Imprisonment of not more than ten days, or both for a first o1 fense and $500 fine or six months inn prisonment or both for any subsequent offense. He continues:
 By the terms of this act at the A was prohibited from operating this motor vehicle.
 Whether by using an instrum ent which he was forbidden by law to use to wit a motor vehicle, and with that instrument causing the death of any one, renders him criminalIy liable for homicide, I express no definite conclu- sion. l am of the opinion, however that he is not criminally responsible for causing the death of Ruggiero by using such instrument thus provided
 Father Knew Circumstances.
 The coroner calls attention to the fact that section IT of the act pro- vides a penalty for any one who knowingly goes away without stopping after causing injury to any person ol property, and adds;
 From the testimony taken at the inquest it clearly appears that Brock violated the terms of this section ot the act
 During the investigation it appeared that the father of Charles R. Brock was aware and allowed and permitted his son to operate said motor vehicle in the prosecution of his, the fathers business, we'll knowing that his sor was not of sufficient age to obtain Ii- cense to operate said motor vehicle"
 Has Father Violated Law7
 The finding quotes section 1888 o1 the general statutes that "every per son who shall assist ,abet, counsel cause, hire or command another tC commit any offense may be prosecuted and punished Ias if he were the princi- pal offender"
 ITO what extent the father has vio- lated the provisions of section 15S3 ii at all,'' the coroner says, lis not fol this office to determine, but for the prosecuting officers in the severa towns where this motor vehicle may have been driven by the son in vio- lation of the law.
 Growing Disregard of Law.
 ''The growing desregard of the pro visions fthe motor vehicle law has thus impelled me upon this occasion tC make these observations and a copy of this finding is forwarded to the prosecuting officers of the various city and town courts in this county and tC the secre, ,ary of state"