Case ID: mich-app_22/html/0030-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WIELAND v. KENNY
    1. Negligence — Proximate Cause — Automobiles — Dealer — Dismissal and Nonsuit.
    Negligence action against an automobile dealer that allowed an uninsured motorist to use its automobile dealer license plates on his vehicle was properly dismissed where use of the dealer plates violated a statute but that violation was not the proximate cause of the accident which resulted in plaintiff's injuries (MCLA § 257.256).
    2. Automobiles — Dealer—License Plates — Estoppel.
    An automobile dealer should not be estopped from denying ownership of a vehicle which is illegally bearing, with his knowledge and consent, license plates belonging to the dealer (MCLA § 257.256).
    References for Points in Headnotes
    [1] 7 Am Jur 2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic § § 365, 581.
    
      [2] 7, 8 Am Jur 2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic §§ 26, 27, 908.
    Appeal from Ionia, Leo W. Corlrin, J., presiding.
    Submitted Division 3 January 7, 1970, at Grand Rapids.
    (Docket No. 6,682.)
    Decided February 23, 1970.
    Leave to appeal granted September 30, 1970.
    384 Mich 762.
    Complaint by Jobn C. Wieland against Robert J. Kenny and Raymond & Anderson, Inc., for injuries resulting from an automobile-motorcycle collision. Tbe Secretary of State intervened as a defendant. Judgments against Robert J. Kenny, and tbe Secretary of State. Judgment of no cause of action against Raymond & Anderson, Ine. Plaintiff appeals.
    Affirmed.
    
      Marcus, McCroshey, Libner, Beamon, Williams & Dilley (Thomas D. Geil, of counsel), for plaintiff.
    
      Welch d Watt, for defendant Raymond & Anderson, Inc.
    Before: V. J. Brennan, P. J., and R. B. Burns and T. M. Burns, JJ.
   Per Curiam.

The plaintiff here received a judgment of $85,000 against defendant, Kenny, an uninsured motorist, for injuries suffered when Kenny turned his car directly into the path of plaintiff’s motorcycle.

The plaintiff, rightly fearing that Kenny would be uncollectible, also sued defendant, Raymond & Anderson, Inc. The plaintiff’s claim against Raymond & Anderson, Inc. is that it allowed Kenny to use its automobile dealership license plates in violation of MCLA § 257.256 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9.1956).

The trial court, sitting without a jury and relying on Endres v. Mara-Rickenbacker Co. (1928), 243 Mich 5, found that although there was a violation of the statute, the violation was not the proximate cause of the accident. The charge against Raymond & Anderson, Inc. was therefore dismissed. It is from this dismissal that plaintiff appeals.

On appeal the plaintiff’s sole issue is whether an automobile dealer should be estopped from denying ownership of a vehicle which is illegally bearing, with the dealer’s knowledge and consent, license plates belonging to the dealership.

Plaintiff acknowledges the Michigan rule as set down by Endres, supra, at p 7, is against him. However, the plaintiff urges this Court to repudiate the Endres decision and adopt the rule of another jurisdiction, New York. See Reese v. Reamore (1944), 292 NY 292 (55 NE2d 35); Switzer v. Aldrich (1954), 307 NY 56 (120 NE2d 159).

We do not view the Endres rule as the majority of the Court in Abendschein v. Farrell (1968), 11 Mich App 662, 679 viewed the lex loci delicti rule established as the law in Michigan by Kaiser v. North (1939), 292 Mich 49. The Endres rule is not an empty shell, the destruction of which only awaits action of its creating tribunal. The Endres rule is still supported by ample authority in this as well as other jurisdictions. See 99 ALR2d 904, § 2(a), pp 906-909.

Further, we find no indication that if the Supreme Court were to he presented with the issue before us here that it would decide it in any way contrary to Endres. See generally Abendschein, supra, (Levin, dissenting) at p 680.

Bound as we are under these circumstances by Endres, we cannot but affirm.

Affirmed. Costs to appellee.