Case ID: nc_213/html/0671-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CORA LEE TAYLOR, Administratrix of the Estate of J. H. TAYLOR, Deceased, v. ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD COMPANY.
    (Filed 25 May, 1938.)
    Railroads § 9 — Evidence held insufficient to establish doctrine of last clear chance in failure of defendant to stop train before serious injury.
    Intestate was thrown upon the “cow-catcher” of defendant’s engine after it had struck intestate’s car. Plaintiff sought recovery upon the contention that defendant was negligent in failing to stop the train before intestate had been hurled therefrom to his death, and that the facts established that defendant had the last clear chance to avoid the serious injury and death of intestate. Judgment as of nonsuit is affirmed on appeal upon authority of Batchelor v. R. R., 196 N. 0., 84.
    Seaweix, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
    Appeal by plaintiff from Bone, J., at November Term, 1937, of Edgecombe. Affirmed.
    This is an action for actionable negligence — death by wrongful act- — ■ brought by plaintiff against defendant for killing plaintiff’s intestate at a railroad crossing in Rocky Mount, N. C., on 19 November, 1935, at 7:15 a.m. N. 0. Code, 1935 (Michie), section 160.
    In the plaintiff’s amended complaint it is alleged as negligence of defendant that it failed “(d) To keep a proper lookout so as to be aware that the plaintiff’s intestate had been hit by defendant’s engine and was precariously hung upon the ‘cow-catcher’ of said engine; and (e) to stop its locomotive after having struck the car of the plaintiff’s intestate and before the defendant had hurled the plaintiff’s intestate to his death, the said defendant having brought about the death of the plaintiff’s intestate by its wrongful conduct and having under all the facts the last clear chance to avoid the serious injury and death of said intestate.”
    The defendant denied the material allegations of the complaint and set up the plea of contributory negligence. The defendant admitted the municipal ordinance of Rocky Mount as to the speed limit.
    The plaintiff contends that there was at least evidence to be submitted to the jury on the last clear chance doctrine. The court below, at the close of plaintiff’s evidence, on motion of defendant, sustained a motion for judgment as in case of nonsuit. C. S., 567. The plaintiff excepted, assigned error and appealed to the Supreme Court.
    
      B. H. Thomas and Battle & Winslow for plaintiff.
    
    
      F. S. Spruill, Gilliam & Bond, Thos. W. Davis, and V. E. Phelps for defendant.
    
   Per Curiam.

Tbe present case comes witbin tbe rule laid down in Batchelor v. R. R., 196 N. C., 84, relied on by defendant.

Tbe judgment of tbe court below is

Affirmed.

Seawell, J., took no part in tbe consideration or decision of tbis case.