New Britain herald., 1928-12-01
CRASH WITH COP
COSTS DRIVER $40
Failure to Signal Lett Tarn
Blamed for Collision

police department motorcycle at tht
corner OF West Main street and
Woodruff Court on Nov. 20, wa.
! fined SO and costs by Judge Henry
P. Roche in police court today or
the charge of violation Of the rules
of the road. He pleaded not guilty
but Judge Roche, after hearing the
testimony, pointed out that two dis
tinct rules of the road had been VIC.
lated. and it was apparent that the
situation resulting from Robinson's
driving was typical of what the
rules OF the road were intended t.
preclude.
Officer kumm. who has been OF
duty with an injury to his left foo,
tsince the accident. testified that hi
was riding west on West Main stree,
about 12:45 o'clock in the afternoon
and Robinson was just ahead Of
him. Without giving a signal. Rob-
inson turned left into Woodruff
Court and the officer, forced to turn
suddenly to avoid . crash. wal
! thrown from his machine when the
front part of his cycle caught the
rear of the automobile.
Chief w. C. Hart testified that he
! was at police headquarters when
Robinson reported the accident. He
admitted that he had not signallel
before making the turn, his expla-
nation being that the windows Of
his car were up and he could moi
| extend his hand.
Robinson testified that the Officer
was riding SO close to the rear Of
his automobile 1t was impossible t.
see him. Before reaching Wood
ruff court, Robinson said, he gave
a signal that he was about to re-
duce speed. He did not know any
one was behind him and as the win
dow on the driving side Of the ca,
was raised to within two inches
from the top he did not signal witt
his hand.
Judge Roche said Robinson violat'
ed one rule by failing to signal be-
fore turning and another by cutting
to the left of the center Of the in
tersection. The failure to give thu
signal was the more serious OF the
two, he said.
berlin Youth Freed
Salvatore Vendrilla. aged 10, o.
Hudson street, Berlin. charged witt
violation of the rules Of the road
was freed on a nolle. Prosecuting
Attorney Woods said he had looked
into the facts of the case carefully
and had come to the conclusion
that it was one for the civil courts
| rather than police court. The young
man was driving car which struck
a car driven by a Waterbury man
on West Main street late Thursday
night, causing the Waterbury car to
turn over twice.
Must Garry Credentials
Nicholas Armentano, aged 20. Of
35 South Hudson street. did not have
his operators license and certificate
| Of registration in his possession
when Motorcycle Officer Thomas
Blanchette asked for them last eve
ming, but he produced them in court
with the explanation that they were
in his overalls yesterday. On recon-
mendation Of Prosecuting Attorney
Woods judgment was suspended. but
Judge Roche warned Armentanc
that the law specifies that every
driver must carry them and 1t be.
hooved them to be careful to do 50
| Armentano was driving from Eas1
Main street into Elm street about
Sis last evening and Anna Hanise.
vich, aged Is. of 81 Connerton street
was crossing. The car struck hel
to his statement to Officer Blanch'
cite, and he did not stop unit
Jeanne LaCourse of 244 High street
Hartford. who was with him, TOLD
him of the mishap. The girl wal
bruised but not seriously injured and
will be under treatment at New
Britain General hospital for a few
days at least.
Sent to State Farm
| John McGrath, aged 81. of 75(
East street, pleaded guilty to the
charge of drunkenness and MOI
guilty to charges Of vagrancy
breach Of the peace and resistance
i He asked for leniency but Judge
Roche told him his record was sucf
that the cout would not be justified
/ in giving him any consideration ant
he sentenced him TO the state farm
Officer John w. Riley testified
that McGrath, who has but one LEI
and uses clutches, was with three
! others in Russell Brothers store
doorway on Main street last nigh
and McGrath was seen to step ou
and stop several passersby q.
though to ask them for money.
The officer ordered them to move
on and warned McGrath agains
begging but a short distance dow1
the street McGrath repeated the &C
and when the officer warned hin
again he became abusive. PLACED
under arrest he resisted and Angus
tine McDonough of GA Church stree
came to the officers aid.
Although it did not come out IL
the testimony. it was learned tina
Officer Ernest Z. Bioomquist, VIII,
is under six months suspension
also assisted Officer Riley. He hap
! pened to be nearby when the Off
Ger raped his nightstick and b,
hurried to help subdue McGrath.
McGrath took the witness stant
after McDonough and Officer Rile.
had testified. He said he was ~
drunk he did not know what he did
He did not remember anything o
, the struggle with Officer Riley ant
he promised to behave If given :
! chance, but Prosecuting Attorne,
Woods reminded Judge Roche tina
McGrath has been before the cour
numerous times and his promises 4
stay away from bad company hav,