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* Retired Sen ior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 PENNSYLVANIA INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

v. STEVEN HOMANKO, BOROUGH OF NESQUEHONING, SEAN SMITH AND MICHAEL SAUERS, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLA R. SAUERS APPEAL OF: MICHAEL SAUERS, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATO R OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLA R. SAUERS : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT

OF PENNSYLVANIA

No. 277 E DA 2019 Appeal from the Order Entered December 31 , 2018 i n the Court of Common Pl eas of Carbon County Civil Divi sion at No(s): 17 - 2151 BEFORE: MURRAY, J., STRASSBURGER, J. * and PELLEGRINI , J.* MEMORANDUM BY STRASSBURGER, J.: FILED OCTOBER 15, 2019 Michael Sauers (Sauers) , individually and as administrator of the e state of Carola R. Sauers, appeals from the order entered December 31 , 2018 , which granted judgment on the pleadings in favor of Pennsylvania Integrated Risk Management Association (PIRMA), conclud ing PIRMA had no duty to defend or indemnify police officer Steven Homanko in an underlying civil action in which Sauers is the plaintiff and Homanko is a defendant. We affirm. The trial court provide d the relevant factual and procedural history of this m atter.

### J -A22022 - 19

- 2 - In the underlying action, [] Sauers, individually and as the administrator of the Estate of Carola R. Sauers, brought suit against [] Homanko, Sean Smith, and the Borough of Nesquehoning [ (the Borough)] [in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania .] That action arises out of a motor vehicle collision wherein [] Homanko, while acting within the scope of his employment as a police officer for the Borough [] , was traveling in excess of one hundred (100) miles per hour in pursuit of a vehicle which [] Homanko had observed committing a summary traffic offense. [] Homanko’s collision with the Sauers[ es ’] vehicle resulted in the death of Carola Sauers and multiple personal injuries to [] Sauers. Based upon his actions whi ch resulted in the collision, [] Homanko was charged criminally and subsequently pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, recklessly endangering another person [(REAP)], failure to keep right, and careless driving. Prior to the collision, the Borough [] entered into a “Legal Defense and Claim Payment Agreement” with [ PIRMA]. This agreement provide[d] that [PIRMA] [would] defend and indemnify the Borough, including employees acting within the scope of their employment, against any suit seeking damages, unles s an act is not covered by the agreement. The agreement explicitly excludes criminal acts, which are defined as injury arising out of any criminal act or violation of a penal statute. This exclusion does not apply until it has been judicially determined that the employee did commit such criminal act or violation. Trial Court Opinion, 3/27/2019, at 2 - 3 (capitalization altered, citations omitted). On September 21, 2017, PIRMA filed the instant action against, inter alia , Sauers , asserting it was entitled to declaratory judgment pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 7531 - 41 (Declaratory Judgments Act). According to PIRMA, the claims set forth in the underlying action are not covered under the agreement between PIRMA and the Borough. Thus, PIRMA requested a declaration that it owed no duty to defend or indemnify Homanko in the underlying action.

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After the close of pleadings, on January 8, 2018, PIRMA filed a motion for judgment on the ple adings. Argument was held on April 26, 2018, and on December 31, 2018, the trial court granted judgment on the pleadings in favor of PIRMA and against Sauers . Sauers timely filed a notice of appeal, and both Sauers and the trial court complied with Pa.R. A.P. 1925. On appeal, Sauers sets forth three issues for our review. 1 . Did the trial court commit reversible error when it found that the subject insurance policy does not violate the public policy set forth in the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law where [its] decision permits a denial of coverage in any motor vehicle accident by the insurer for the at fault driver if that driver is found guilty of any criminal act? 2. Did the trial court commit reversible error when it fo u nd that the subject insurance policy’s blanket “criminal acts” exclusion is not overly broad even though any criminal act, no matter how minor, triggers the exclusion? 3. Did the trial court commit reversible error when it found that the subject insurance policy is not internally inconsistent, and therefore ambiguous and illusory, since it provides coverage for conduct which constitutes criminal acts and then excludes coverage for criminal acts upon conviction? Sauers’s Brief at 4 ( capitalization altered).

“ Our scope and standard of review of the granting of a motion for judgment on the pleadings is well - settled. ” Rubin v. CBS Broad. Inc. , 170 A.3d 560, 564 (Pa. Super. 2017).

Our scope of review on an appeal from the grant of judgment on the pleadings is plenary . Entry of judgment on the pleadings is permitted under Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1034, which provides that “after the pleadings are closed, but within such time as not to unreasonably delay trial, any party may move for judgment on the pleading s.” Pa.R.C.P. 1034(a). A

### J -A22022 - 19

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motion for judgment on the pleadings is similar to a demurrer. It may be entered when there are no disputed issues of fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. In determining if there is a dispute as to facts, the court must confine its consideration to the pleadings and relevant documents. On appeal, we accept as true all well - pleaded allegations in the complaint. On appeal, our task is to determine whether the trial court’s ruling was based on a clear error of law or whether there were facts disclosed by the pleadings which should properly be tried before a jury or by a judge sitting without a jury. Neither party can be deemed to have admitted either conclusions of law or unjustified inferences. More over, in conducting its inquiry, the court should confine itself to the pleadings themselves and any documents or exhibits properly attached to them. It may not consider inadmissible evidence in determining a motion for judgment on the pleadi ngs. Only when the moving party’s case is clear and free from doubt such that a trial would prove fruitless will an appellate court affirm a motion for judgment on the pleadings. Id. (internal citations omitted). Following a review of the record and the briefs for the parties, we conclude that the opinion of the Honorable Steven R. Serfass thoroughly addresses Sauers’s issues . Specifically, we adopt the portions of the trial court opinion setting forth the rule of law regarding contract interpretation, see Trial Court Opinion, 3/27/2019, at 6 - 7, and the three issues set forth by Sauers , see id . at 9 - 11 (concluding that the agreement was neither overly broad nor internally inconsistent such that it renders the insurance policy illusory ), and id. at 13 - 15 (concluding that the agreement does not violate either public policy or the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law ). We discern no error of law on those issues . Nor do we conclude that there are facts disclosed by

### J -A22022 - 19

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the pleadings which should be tried by a judge or jury. Therefore, we adopt the aforementioned portions of the trial court’s opinion of March 27 , 2019 , as our own , and affirm the order of the trial court. 1 

### Order affirmed. Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary

Date: 10/15/19

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 

### The parties shall attach a copy of the trial court’s March 27, 2019 opinion to this memorandum in t he event of further proceedings.C i rcu l ated 1 0/08/20 1 9 1 0 : 24 AM

I N T HE C OURT O F C OMMON P L EAS O F CARB ON C OUN T Y , PE NN S Y LVAN I A C I V I L D I V I S I ON

PE NN S Y LVAN I A I N T E GRAT E D R I S K MANAGEME NT AS S O C I AT I ON ,

P l a i n t i f f 

### v . 

### S T EVEN HOMANKO , BOROUGH O F NE S Q UE H ON I N G , S EAN SM I T H , a n d M I C HAE L SAUE RS , I n d i v i du a l l y a n d a s t h e Admi n i s t r a t o r o f t h e E S TAT E O F CARO LA R . SAUE RS , D e f e n da n t s N o . 1 7
- 2 1 5 1

B r i a n J . Ma dde n , E s qu i r e D o n a l d G . Ka rp o w i c h , E s qu i r e Mi c h a e l B . ·K a s p s z y k , E s qu i r e c o u n s e l f o r P l a i n t i f f C o u n s e l f o r S t e ve n H oma n ko C o u n s e l f o r Mi c h a e l S a u e r s , I n d i v i du a l l y a n d a s t h e Admi n i s t r a t o r o f t h e E s t a t e o f C a r o l a R . S a u e r s MEMORANDUM O P I N I ON S e r f a s s , J . - Ma r c h 2 7 , 2 0 1 9 S t e ve n H oma n k o (h e r e i n a f t e r " H oma n k o " ) a n d Mi c h a e l S a u e r s (h e r e i n a f t e r " S a u e r s " ) h ave t a ke n t h i s app e a l f r om o u r o r de r o f D e c emb e r 20 1 8 , g r a n t i n g P e nn s y l v a n i a I n t e g r a t e d Ri s k Ma n a g eme n t As s o c i a t i o n (h e r e i n a f t e r " P l a i n t i f f " ) a D e c l a r a t i o n t h a t it h a s n o du t y t o de f e n d o r i n de nm i f y H oma n ko i n t h e
u n de r l y i n g ma t t e r o f Mi c h a e l S a u e r s & t h e E s t a t e o f C a r o l a R . S a u e r s v . S t e ve n H oma n k o , 

### e t a l . , Un i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t C o u r t f o r F S - 6
- 1 9 1t h e Mi dd l e D i s t r i c t o f P e n n s y l v a n i a ; D o c ke t N o . 3 : 1 6
- CV- 0 0 8 1 1 . We

f i l e t h e f o l l o w i n g memo r a n dum op i n i o n p u r s u a n t t o P e n n s y l va n i a Ru l e o f App e l l a t e P r o c e du r e 1 9 2 S ( a ) a n d r e c omme n d th a t t h e
a f o r e s a i d o r de r b e a f f i rme d f o r t h e r e a s o n s s e t f o r t h h e r e i n a f t e r . FAC T UAL AND PRO C E DURAL H I S T ORY O n S ep t emb e r 2 1 , 2 0 1 7 , P l a i n t i f f , P e nn s y l v a n i a I n t e g r a t e d Ri s k Ma n a g eme n t As s o c i a t i o n , f i l e d a c omp l a i n t a g a i n s t De f e n da n t s , S t e ve n H oma n ko , t h e B o r o u gh o f Ne s qu e h o n i n g , Ne s qu e h o n i n g C h i e f o f P o l i c e S e a n Smi t h , a n d Mi c h a e l S a u e r s , i n d i v i du a l l y a n d a s t h e a dmi n i s t r a t o r o f t h e E s t a t e o f C a r o l a R . S a u e r s , s e e k i n g a de c l a r a t o ry j u dgme n t t h a t P l a i n t i f f n e e d n o t de f e n d o r i n demn i f y O f f i c e r H oma n ko i n t h e u n de r l y i n g a c t i o n b e f o r e t h e Un i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t C o u r t f o r t h e Mi dd l e D i s t r i c t o f P e n n s y l v a n i a . I n t h e u n de r l y i n g a c t i o n , Mi c h a e l S a u e r s , i n d i v i du a l l y a n d a s t h e a dmi n i s t r a t o r o f t h e E s t a t e o f C a r o l a R . S a u e r s , b r o u gh t s u i t a g a i n s t S t e ve n H oma n ko , S e a n Smi t h , a n d t h e B o r o u gh o f Ne s qu e h o n i n g . T h a t a c t i o n a r i s e s o u t o f a mo t o r ve h i c l e c o l l i s i o n
wh e r e i n O f f i c e r H oma n ko , wh i l e a c t i n g w i t h i n t h e s c o p e o f h i s
emp l o yme n t a s a p o l i c e o f f i c e r f o r t h e B o r o u gh o f Ne s qu e h o n i n g , wa s t r ave l i n g i n e x c e s s o f o n e hu n d r e d { 1 0 0 ) mi l e s p e r h o u r i n pu r s u i t o f a ve h i c l e wh i c h O f f i c e r H oma n ko h a d ob s e rve d c ommi t t i n g a s umma r y t r a f f i c o f f e n s e . O f f i c e r H oma n ko ' s c o l l i s i o n w i t h t h e S a u e r s ve h i c l e r e s u l t e d i n t h e de a t h o f C a r o l a S a u e r s a n d mu l t i p l e p e r s o n a l i n j u r i e s t o Mi c h a e l S a u e r s . B a s e d up o n h i s a c t i o n s wh i c h F S - 6
- 1 9 2r e s u l t e d i n t h e c o l l i s i o n , O f f i c e r H oma n ko wa s c h a r ge d c r imi n a l l y

a n d s ub s e qu e n t l y p l e a de d gu i l t y t o H omi c i de b y Ve h i c l e , 7 5 P a . c . S . A . § 3 7 3 2 , Re c k l e s s l y E n da n ge r i n g An o t h e r P e r s o n , 1 8 P a . C . S . A . § 2 7 0 5 , F a i l u r e t o Ke e p Ri gh t , 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 3 0 1 , an d C a r e l e s s D r i v i n g , 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 7 1 4 . P r i o r t o t h e c o l l i s i o n , t h e B o r o u gh o f Ne s qu e h o n i n g e n t e r e d i n t o a " L e g a l D e f e n s e a n d C l a im P a yme n t Ag r e eme n t " w i t h P l a i n t i f f . T h i s a g r e eme n t p r o v i de s t h a t P l a i n t i f f w i l l de f e n d a n d i n demn i f y t h e B o r o u gh , i n c l u d i n g emp l o ye e s a c t i n g w i t h i n t h e s c op e o f t h e i r emp l o yme n t , a g a i n s t a n y s u i t s e e k i n g dama g e s , u n l e s s a n a c t i s n o t
c o ve r e d b y t h e a g r e eme n t . T h e a g r e eme n t e xp l i c i t l y e x c l u de s c r imi n a l a c t s , wh i c h a r e de f i n e d a s i n j u r y a r i s i n g o u t o f a n y c r imi n a l a c t o r v i o l a t i o n o f a p e n a l s t a t u t e . T h i s e x c l u s i o n do e s
n o t app l y u n t i l i t h a s b e e n j u d i c i a l l y de t e rmi n e d t h a t t h e emp l o ye e d i d c ommi t s u c h c r imi n a l a c t o r v i o l a t i o n . O n Ja n u a r y 8 , 2 0 1 8 , P l a i n t i f f f i l e d a mo t i o n f o r j u dgme n t o n t h e p l e a d i n g s a r gu i n g t h a t P l a i n t i f f h a s n o du t y t o de f e n d o r i n demn i f y H oma n ko u n de r t h e a g r e eme n t b e c a u s e P e n n s y l v a n i a c o u r t s h ave c o n s i s t e n t l y up h e l d c r imi n a l a c t e x c l u s i o n c l a u s e s , t h e
c r imi n a l a c t s n e e d n o t b e i n t e n t i o n a l f o r t h e e x c l u s i o n t o app l y , a n d i t w o u l d b e a g a i n s t we l l
- e s t ab l i s h e d p ub l i c p o l i c y t o r e qu i r e P l a i n t i f f t o de f e n d H o rn a .nko f o r wh a t h a s b e e n de eme d c r imi n a l
c o n du c t .

F S - 6
- 1 9 3o n Fe b r u a r y 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 , c o u n s e l f o r D e f e n da n t s S a u e r s a n d

H oma n ko f i l e d b r i e f s i n r e s p o n s e t o P l a i n t i f f ' s mo t i o n . Mr . S a u e r s a r gu e d t h a t O f f i c e r H oma n ko d i d n o t i n t e n t i o n a l l y c ommi t t h e
c r i mi n a l a c t s , t h a t t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s ove r l y b r o a d
s u c h t h a t i t r e n de r s t h e a g r e eme n t i l l u s o ry , t h a t t h e a g r e eme n t i s
amb i gu o u s b e c a u s e t h e t e rm " c r imi n a l a c t s " i s n o t sp e c i f i c a l l y de f i n e d , a n d t h a t t h e e x c l u s i o n i s a g a i n s t p ub l i c p o l i c y . O f f i c e r H oma n ko a r gu e d t h a t t h e u n de r l y i n g l i t i g a t i o n c omp l a i n t s o u n d s i n
n e g l i g e n c e a n d t h a t t h e l a n gu a ge " j u d i c i a l de t e rmi n a t i o n " i s amb i gu o u s . O n Ma r c h 1 9 , 2 0 1 8 , P l a i n t i f f f i l e d r e p l i e s t o D e f e n da n t s ' b r i e f s . T h e r e a f t e r , t h i s C o u r t h e a r d a r gume n t o n P l a i n t i f f ' s mo t i o n f o r j u dgme n t o n t h e p l e a d i n g s . O n D e c emb e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 8 , t h i s c o u r t g r a n t e d P l a i n t i f f ' s mo t i o n 

### ! f o r j u dgme n t o n t h e p l e a d i n g s a n d e n t e r e d a j u dgme n t t h a t P l a i n t i f f h a s n o du t y t o de f e n d o r i n demn i f y H oma n ko i n t h e u n de r l y i n g l i t i g a t i o n b e f o r e t h e Un i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t c o u r t f o r t h e Mi ddl e D i s t r i c t o f P e n n s y l v a n i a . O n Ja n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 9 , S a u e r s f i l e d a n o t i c e o f app e a l t o t h e S up e r i o r C o u r t . O n Ja n u a r y 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 , t h i s C o u r t e n t e r e d a n o r de r d i r e c t i n g S a u e r s t o f i l e o f r e c o r d , w i t h i n twe n t y - o n e ( 2 1 ) da y s , a c o n c i s e s t a t eme n t o f t h e ma t t e r s c omp l a i n e d o f o n app e a l p u r s u a n t t o P e n n s y l v a n i a Ru l e o f App e l l a t e P r o c e du r e 1 9 2 5 ( b ) . O n Ja n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 , H oma n k o a l s o f i l e d a n o t i c e o f app e a l t o t h e s up e r i o r C o u r t . T h a t s ame da t e , t h i s C o u r t e n t e r e d a n o r de r d i r e c t i n g F S - 6
- 1 9 4H oma n k o t o f i l e o f r e c o r d , w i t h i n twe n t y - o n e ( 2 1 ) da y s , a c o n c i s e

s t a t eme n t o f t h e ma t t e r s c omp l a i n e d o f o n app e a l p u r s u a n t t o P e n n s y l v a n i a Ru l e o f App e l l a t e P r o c e du r e 1 9 2 5 ( b ) . S a u e r s a n d H oma n ko e a c h f i l e d a c o n c i s e s t a t eme n t i n a c c o r da n c e w i t h o u r
o r de r s o n F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 1 9 , a n d Feb ru a r y 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 , r e s p e c t i ve l y . D I S C U S S I ON S a u e r s ' c o n c i s e s t a t eme n t i s ge n e r a l a s h e ave r s t h a t t h e b a s i s f o r o u r de c i s i o n c a n n o t b e r e a d i l y d i s c e r n e d . S a u e r s app e a r s t o r a i s e t h e f o l l o w i n g i s s u e s f o r r e v i e w : ( 1 ) wh e t h e r c r imi n a l
a c t s mu s t b e i n t e n t i o n a l t o b e e x c l u de d u n de r t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y ; ( 2 ) wh e t h e r t h e c r i mi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s amb i gu o u s a n d ove r l y b r o a d s u c h t h a t i t r e n de r s t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y i l l u s o r y ; { 3 )
wh e t h e r t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s c o n t r a r y t o p ub l i c p o l i c y ; a n d { 4 ) wh e t h e r t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s a v i o l a t i o n o f t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a Mo t o r Ve h i c l e F i n a n c i a l Re s p o n s i b i l i t y L aw . H oma n k o r a i s e s t h e f o l l o w i n g i s s u e s f o r r e v i e w : ( 1 ) wh e t h e r t h e p h r a s e " j u d i c i a l l y de t e rmi n e d " i s s u f f i c i e n t l y c l e a r o n i t s f a c e w i t h o u t e xp l i c i t de f i n i t i o n i n t h e c o n t r a c t ; a n d ( 2 ) wh e t h e r t h e u n de r l y i n g n e g l i g e n c e c omp l a i n t t r i g g e r s t h e c r imi n a l a c t s
e x c l u s i o n i n t h e c o n t r a c t . We w i l l a dd r e s s e a c h i s s u e b e l o w . F i r s t , we n o t e t h e s t a n da r d up o n wh i c h t h i s C o u r t de c i de d P l a i n t i f f ' s mo t i o n . D e f e n da n t s c h a l l e n ge t h i s C o u r t ' s o r de r g r a n t i n g a mo t i o n f o r j u dgme n t o n t h e p l e a d i n g s . A mo t i o n f o r j u dgme n t o n t h e p l e a d i n g s i s p r op e r wh e r e t h e p l e a d i n g s e v i de n c e F S - 6
- 1 9 5t h a t t h e r e a r e n o ma t e r i a l f a c t s i n d i s p u t e s u c h t h a t a t r i a l wo u l d

b e u n n e c e s s a ry . P e n n s y l v a n i a F i n a n c i a l Re s p o n s i b i l i t y As s i g n e d C l a i m s P l a n v . E n g l i s h , 6 6 4 A . 2 d 8 4 , 8 6 ( P a . 1 9 9 5 ) . I n r e v i e w i n g
s u c h a mo t i o n , t h e t r i a l c o u r t l o o k s o n l y t o t h e p l e a d i n g s a n d a n y do c ume n t s p r op e r l y a t t a c h e d t h e r e t o . Id .
T h e t a s k o f i n t e rp r e t i n g a c o n t r a c t i s ge n e r a l l y p e r f o rme d b y a c o u r t r a t h e r t h a n b y a j u r y . T h e g o a l o f t h a t t a s k i s , o f c o u r s e , t o a s c e r t a i n t h e i n t e n t o f t h e p a r t i e s a s ma n i f e s t e d b y t h e l a n gu a g e o f t h e w r i t t e n i n s t rume n t . Wh e r e a p r o v i s i o n o f a p o l i c y i s amb i gu o u s , t h e p o l i c y p r o v i s i o n i s t o b e c o n s t r u e d i n f avo r o f th e i n s u r e d a n d a g a i n s t t h e i n s u r e r , t h e d r a f t e r o f t h e a g r e eme n t . Wh e r e , h owe ve r , t h e l a n gu a g e o f t h e c o n t r a c t i s c l e a r a n d u n amb i gu o u s , a c o u r t i s r e qu i r e d t o g i ve e f f e c t t o t h a t l a n gu a g e .

s t a n da r d Ve n e t i a n B l i n d C o . v . Ame r i c a n Emp i r e I n s u r a n c e C o . , 4 6 9 A . 2 d 5 6 3 , 5 6 6 ( P a . 1 9 8 3 ) ( i n t e rn a l c i t a t i o n s omi t t e d) . "Wh e n a n i n s u r e r s e e k s t o de n y c o ve r a g e b a s e d up o n a n e x c l u s i o n i n t h e p o l i c y , i t i s t h e i n s u r e r ' s b u r de n t o demo n s t r a t e t h a t t h e
e x c l u s i o n app l i e s . " Al l s t a t e I n s . C o . v . B r o wn , 8 3 4 F . S upp . 8 5 4 , 8 5 7 ( E . D . P a . 1 9 9 3 ) . " T h e bu r de n i s o n t h e 

### insured , n o t t h e 

### insurer , t o i n t r o du c e ev i de n c e t o s h ow t h a t t h e e x c l u s i o n wh i c h
app e a r s t o b e t r i g g e r e d do e s n o t app l y a f t e r a l l . " Ai r P r o d . 

### & C h emi c a l s , I n c . v . H a r t f o r d Ac c . 

### & I n dem . C o . , 2 5 F . 3 d 1 7 7 , 1 8 0 ( 3 d C i r . 1 9 9 4 ) . I n de t e rmi n i n g wh e t h e r a n i n s u r e r h a s a du t y t o de f e n d , t h e c omp l a i n t c l a imi n g dama ge s mu s t b e c omp a r e d t o t h e p o l i c y a n d a de t e rmi n a t i o n ma de a s t o wh e t h e r t h e i n s u r e r wo u l d b e F S - 6
- 1 9 6r e qu i r e d t o p a y t h e r e s u l t i n g j u dgme n t i f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s a r e

s u s t a i n e d . Ge n e 1 s Re s t a u r a n t , I n c . v . N a t i o nw i de I n s u r a n c e C o . , 5 4 8 A . 2 d 2 4 6 , 2 4 6 ( P a . 1 9 8 8 ) . T h e p a r t i c u l a r c a u s e o f a c t i o n t h a t
a c omp l a i n a n t p l e a d s a g a i n s t a n i n s u r e d i s n o t de t e rmi na t i ve o f
wh e t h e r t h e i n s u r e r ' s du t i e s t o de f e n d a n d t o i n demn i f y h ave b e e n t r i g g e r e d , b u t r a t h e r i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o l o o k a t t h e f a c t u a l
a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e c omp l a i n t . Mu t u a l B e n e f i t I n s u r a n c e C o . v . H ave r , 7 2 5 A . 2 d 7 4 3 , 7 4 5 ( P a . 1 9 9 9 ) . T h i s C o u r t f o u n d t h a t P l a i n t i f f demo n s t r a t e d t h a t t h e
e x c l u s i o n app l i e s a n d t h a t P l a i n t i f f h a s n o du t y t o de f e n d H oma n ko i n t h e u n de r l y i n g l i t i g a t i o n . H av i n g f a i l e d t h e mo r e l e n i e n t du t yt o - de f e n d t e s t , D e f e n da n t s c a n n o t p r o ve P l a i n t i f f h a s a du t y t o i n demn i f y O f f i c e r H oma n ko . Se e E r i e I n s u r a n c e E x c h a n ge v . C l a yp o o l e , 1 5 8 , 6 7 3 A . 2 d 3 4 8 , 3 5 6 n . 3 ( P a . S up e r . 1 9 9 6 ) ( " A s t h e du t y t o de f e n d i s b r o a de r t h a n t h e du t y t o i n demn i f y , [p l a i n t i f f )
c o u l d n o t b e r e qu i r e d t o i n demn i f y [ de f e n da n t ] w i t h o u t a l s o b e i n g ob l i g a t e d t o de f e n d h i m . " ) . Fu r t h e r , a f t e r P l a i n t i f f demo n s t r a t e d t h a t t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n c o n t a i n e d i n t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y app l i e s t o H oma n ko , t h e b u r de n s h i f t e d t o De f e n da n t s t o i n t r o du c e ev i de n c e t o s h ow t h a t t h e e x c l u s i o n wh i c h app e a r s t o b e t r i g g e r e d do e s n o t app l y a f t e r a l l . T h i s C o u r t f o u n d t h a t De f e n da n t s f a i l e d t o p r ove t h a t th e e x c l u s i o n i s i n app l i c ab l e . T h e c ommi s s i o n o f t h e c r imi n a l a c t s t o wh i c h H oma ri k o p l e a de d gu i l t y p r e c l u de s c o ve r a ge un de r t h e F S - 6
- 1 9 7c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n o f t h e p o l i c y r e g a r d l e s s o f wh e t h e r h e

a c t e d n e g l i g e n t l y o r i n t e n t i o n a l l y . Mo r e o ve r , t h e r e i s n o d i s p u t e
a s t o a n y ma t e r i a l f a c t r e g a r d i n g wh e t h e r O f f i c e r H oma n ko ' s a c t s
we r e n e g l i g e n t o r i n t e n t i o n a l b e c a u s e t h a t f a c t i s imma t e r i a l b a s e d
o n t h e t e rm s o f t h e e x c l u s i o n i t s e l f . T hu s , we we r e c o n s t r a i n e d t o g r a n t t h e P l a i n t i f f ' s mo t i o n a n d f i n d t h a t P l a i n t i f f h a s n o du t y t o de f e n d o r i n demn i f y H oma n ko i n t h e u n de r l y i n g l i t i g a t i o n n o w p e n d i n g i n f e de r a l c o u r t . I . T h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y do e s n o t r e qu i r e t h a t c r imi n a l a c t s b e i n t e n t i o n a l t o b e e x c l u de d f r om c o ve r a g e S a u e r s a r gu e s t h a t c r imi n a l a c t s c ommi t t e d b y H oma n ko mu s t b e i n t e n t i o n a l t o b e e x c l u de d f r om c o ve r a g e u n de r t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y . T h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y s p e c i f i c a l l y p r o v i de s t h a t c r imi n a l
a c t s w i l l b e e x c l u de d f r om c o ve r a g e a n d de f i n e s c r imi n a l a c t s a s f o l l o w s :
D . C R I M I NAL AC T S me a n i n g 

### in jur y a r i s i n g o u t o f a n y c r imi n a l a c t o r v i o l a t i o n o f a p e n a l s t a t u t e o r o r d i n a n c e c ommi t t e d b y t h e m emb e r o r w i t h t h e m emb e r ' s c o n s e n t o r kn o w l e dg e . T h e e x c l u s i o n s h a l l n o t app l y u n t i l i t h a s b e e n j u d i c i a l l y de t e rmi n e d t h a t t h e m emb e r d i d c ommi t s u c h c r i mi n a l a c t o r v i o l a t i o n . T h e r e i s n o i n d i c a t i o n w i t h i n th e l a n gu a g e o f t h e p o l i c y t h a t t h e
c r imi n a l a c t s mu s t b e i n t e n t i o n a l . T h e l a n gu a g e " c r imi n a l a c t " i s
s u f f i c i e n t l y c l e a r o n i t s f a c e . S e e N a t i o nw i de P r op e r t y & C a s u a l t y I n s u r a n c e C o . v . S c h l i c k , N o . 1 9 0 9 WDA 2 0 1 3 , 2 0 1 4 WL 1 0 7 5 0 7 3 8 , a t
F S - 6
- 1 9 8

## * 4 ( P a . S up e r . D e c . 1 8 , 2 0 1 4 ) ( " [W ] e d i s c e r n n o s upp o r t i n t h e

l a n gu a g e o f t h e e x c l u s i o n o r t h e P o l i c y f o r App e l l a n t ' s c o n t e n t i o n t h a t a n ' a c t . . . wh i c h i s c r i mi n a l i n n a t u r e ' s h o u l d b e l i mi t e d t o
a c t s i n t e n d i n g t o c a u s e h a rm . T h e p h r a s e ' a n a c t . . . wh i c h i s c r imi n a l i n n a t u r e ' i s s u f f i c i e n t l y c l e a r o n i t s f a c e . n ) . Fu r t h e r , P e n n s y l v a n i a c o u r t s h ave up h e l d c r i mi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n s w i t h o u t

" i n t e n t i o n a l " , " p u rp o s e f u l " , o r " w i l l f u l " r e qu i r eme n t s . See Al l s t a t e I n s . C o . v . W i l l i ams , N o . C I V . A . 1 3
- 3 0 4 8 , 2 0 1 4 WL 4 6 8 2 0 2 2 (E . D . P a . S e p t . 2 2 , 2 0 1 4 ) . I n t h i s c a s e , H oma n ko p l e a de d gu i l t y t o t h e c r i mi n a l o f f e n s e s
o f H omi c i de b y Ve h i c l e 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 7 3 2 , Re c k l e s s l y E n da n ge r i n g An o t h e r P e r s o n 1 8 P a . C . S . A . § 2 7 0 5 , F a i l u r e t o Ke e p Ri gh t 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 3 0 1 , a n d C a r e l e s s D r i v i n g 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 7 1 4 . H i s
c r imi n a l a c t i o n s r e s u l t e d i n t h e de a t h o f Mr s . S a u e r s a n d t h e i n j u r i e s s u s t a i n e d b y Mr . S a u e r s . " T a u t o l o g i c a l a s i t s o u n d s , a c t s t h a t v i o l a t e t h e C ommo nwe a l t h ' s C r i mi n a l C o de a r e b y de f i n i t i o n c r i mi n a l a c t s . " Id . a t *4 ( i n t e r n a l c i t a t i o n s omi t t e d) . T h e r e f o r e , c r i mi n a l a c t s n e e d n o t b e i n t e n t i o n a l t o b e
e x c l u de d f r om c o ve r a g e u n de r t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y . I I . T h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s n o t ove r l y b r o a d o r amb i gu o u s Ne x t , S a u e r s a r gu e s t h a t t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s ove r l y b r o a d a n d amb i gu o u s s u c h t h a t i t r e n de r s t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y i l l u s o r y . We d i s a g r e e . F S - 6
- 1 9 9S a u e r s ' a r gume n t t h a t " c r imi n a l a c t s " i s n o t de f i n e d w i t h i n

t h e de f i n i t i o n s e c t i o n o f t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y i s w i t h o u t me r i t a s t h e p o l i c y c l e a r l y a n d c o n s p i c u o u s l y de f i n e s " c r imi n a l a c t s " a s p r o v i de d ab o ve . S a u e r s a r gu e s t h a t t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s ove r l y b r o a d
s u c h t h a t a n y c r imi n a l c o n du c t , n o ma t t e r h o w mi n o r , wo u l d t r i g ge r t h e e x c l u s i o n . I n s upp o r t o f h i s p o s i t i o n , S a u e r s c i t e s B o a r d o f Pub l i c E du c a t i o n v . N a t i o n a l Un i o n F i r e I n s u r a n c e C o . o f P i t t s b u r gh , 7 0 9 A . 2 d 9 1 0 ( P a . S up e r . 1 9 9 8 ) , wh e r e t h e S up e r i o r C o u r t f o u n d t h a t a c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n wa s ove r l y b r o a d . H o weve r , S a u e r s f a i l s t o n o t e t h a t t h e i n s u r a n c e c omp a n y i n t h a t c a s e wa s
s e e k i n g t o e x c l u de c o ve r a g e n o t f o r t h e c r imi n a l a c t o r , wh o wa s a
vo l u n t e e r n o t c o ve r e d b y t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y , b u t f o r t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t a n d s up e rv i s i n g emp l o ye e s . T h a t i s n o t t h e c a s e h e r e . P l a i n t i f f do e s n o t d i s p u t e i t s du t y t o de f e n d a n d i n demn i f y t h e B o r o u gh o f Ne s qu e h o n i n g a n d C h i e f S e a n Smi t h . P l a i n t i f f o n l y s e e k s t o e x c l u de t h e emp l o ye e wh o c ommi t t e d t h e c r imi n a l a c t wh i c h
r e s u l t e d i n t h e i n j u r i e s t o Mr . a n d Mr s . S a u e r s a s p r o v i de d i n t h e a g r e eme n t . Fu r t h e r , t h e l a n gu a g e o f t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i n t h i s c a s e i s f a r l e s s b r o a d . C omp a r e i d . a t 9 1 2 ( " T h i s p o l i c y do e s
n o t app l y a c t s " ) . . t o a n y c l a im i nvo l v i n g a l l e g a t i o n s o f . . . c r imi n a l

F S - 6
- 1 9 1 0S a u e r s a l s o a r gu e s t h a t t h e p o l i c y c o ve r s i n j u r i e s f o r a c t s

t h a t a r e c r imi n a l i n n a t u r e wh i l e a l s o e x c l u d i n g c o ve r a g e f o r t h o s e
s ame c r imi n a l a c t s r e s u l t i n g i n a n i n t e r n a l l y i n c o n s i s t e n t a n d i l l u s o r y p o l i c y . T h e p o l i c y de f i n e s " i n j u r y " a s f o l l o w s : 

### I n jur y me a n s : A . h a rm , i n c l u d i n g s i c kn e s s o r d i s e a s e , t o t h e p h y s i c a l h e a l t h o f a n y p e r s o n , i n c l u d i n g r e s u l t i n g de a t h ; B . h a rm a r i s i n g o u t o f l i b e l , s l a n de r , de f ama t i o n o f c h a r a c t e r , me n t a l i n j u r y , a n gu i s h , s h o c k o r humi l i a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g s e x u a l ab u s e , h a r a s s me n t , mo l e s t a t i o n , c o rp o r a l p u n i s hme n t o r a n i n va s i o n o f a n i n d i v i du a l ' s r i gh t o f p r i v a c y o r c o n t r o l ove r t h e i r ph y s i c a l o r me n t a l p r op e r t i e s . C . h a rm a r i s i n g o u t o f a s s a u l t a n d b a t t e r y , imp r op e r de t e n t i o n , f a l s e a r r e s t , f a l s e imp r i s o nme n t , ma l i c i o u s p r o s e c u t i o n , f a l s e o r imp r op e r s e rv i c e o f p r o c e s s ; D
. h a rm a r i s i n g o u t o f w r o n g f u l e n t r y , e v i c t i o n o r o t h e r i nva s i o n o f t h e r i gh t o f p r i va c y o r p ub l i c o c c up a n c y ; 

### E . v i o l a t i o n o f r i gh t s a s p r o t e c t e d b y c i v i l r i gh t s s t a t u t e s ; F . u n a u t h o r i z e d u s e o f a n y a dve r t i s i n g i de a , ma t e r i a l s l o g a n , s t y l e , o r t i t l e o f o t h e r s i n yo u r a dve r t i s i n g ; o r 

### G . p r op e r t y dama ge . Wh i l e " i n j u r y " do e s i n c l u de c o ve r a g e f o r n ume r o u s a c t s wh i c h
a r e c r imi n a l i n n a t u r e , t h e " c r i mi n a l a c t s " e x c l u s i o n o n l y app l i e s
wh e n a n i n s u r e d h a s b e e n c o nv i c t e d o f a c r ime a n d t h a t c r ime
r e s u l t e d i n t h e i n j u r y f o r wh i c h a t h i r d p a r t y i s s e e k i n g dama ge s . T hu s , c o ve r a g e w o u l d n o t b e e x c l u de d i f t h e r e we r e me r e l y a n a l l e g a t i o n o f o n e o f t h e c r ime s l i s t e d u n de r t h e i n j u r y de f i n i t i o n , i f a n i n s u r e d h a d b e e n f o u n d n o t gu i l t y , o r i f t h e c r ime wa s
u n r e l a t e d t o t h e i n j u r y . F S - 6
- 1 9 1 1F i n a l l y , H oma n ko a r gu e s t h a t t h e p h r a s e " j u d i c i a l l y

de t e rmi n e d " w i t h i n t h e " c r imi n a l a c t s " de f i n i t i o n i s n o t de f i n e d
a n d, t hu s , ma ke s i t u n c l e a r wh e t h e r t h e e x c l u s i o n i n c l u de s gu i l t y p l e a s o r j u s t gu i l t y ve r d i c t s . Un de r P e n n s y l v a n i a l aw , a c o nv i c t i o n f r om a gu i l t y p l e a i s e qu i v a l e n t t o a c o nv i c t i o n f r om a t r i a l
- b yj u r y b e c a u s e a gu i l t y p l e a c o n s t i t u t e s a n a dmi s s i o n t o a l l f a c t s
a l l e g e d i n t h e i n d i c tme n t . M . B . e x r e l . T . B . v . c i t y o f Ph i l a de l p h i a , 1 2 8 F . App • x 2 1 7 , 2 2 5
- 2 6 ( 3 d C i r . 2 0 0 5 ) ( c i t i n g C ommo nwe a l t h , D ep a r tme n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n v . Mi t c h e l l , 5 3 5 A . 2 d 5 8 1 , 5 8 5 ( P a . 1 9 8 7 ) ) . T hu s , t h e l a n gu a ge " j u d i c i a l l y de t e rmi n e d " i s s u f f i c i e n t l y c l e a r o n i t s f a c e a n d i n c l u de s b o t h gu i l t y p l e a s a n d gu i l t y ve r d i c t s . T h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s n e i t h e r ove r l y b r o a d n o r
amb i gu o u s . I t i s n o t ove r l y b r o a d b e c a u s e i t l i mi t s t h e e x c l u s i o n t o o n l y t h o s e i n s t a n c e s wh e r e t h e c r imi n a l a c t r e s u l t s i n t h e i n j u r y f o r wh i c h t h e a c t o r h a s b e e n s u e d . Add i t i o n a l l y , t h e p l a i n
me a n i n g o f t h e l a n gu a g e " u n t i l i t h a s b e e n j u d i c i a l l y de t e rmi n e d t h a t t h e memb e r di d c ommi t s u c h c r imi n a l a c t o r v i o l a t i o n " i s t h a t t h e a c t o r mu s t h ave b e e n c o nv i c t e d o f t h a t c r imi n a l a c t i n a c o u r t
o f l aw , wh i c h fu r t h e r l i mi t s t h e s c o p e o f t h e e x c l u s i o n . As s t a t e d
ab o ve , a p l e a o f gu i l t y a n d a ve r d i c t o f gu i l t y a r e b o t h j u d i c i a l de t e rmi n a t i o n s t h a t a p e r s o n h a s c ommi t t e d a c r ime . Wh e n r e a d a s
a wh o l e , t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y i s c o n s i s t e n t , u n amb i gu o u s , a n d
n e i t h e r i l l u s o r y n o r o ve r l y b r o a d . F S - 6
- 1 9 1 2I I I . C r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n s a r e i n a c c o r da n c e w i t h pub l i c p o l i c y S a u e r s a l s o a r gu e s t h a t t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i n t h i s i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y v i o l a t e s P e n n s y l v a n i a p ub l i c p o l i c y . We di s a g r e e . C r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n s s e e k t o p r e ve n t a n i n s u r e r f r om de f e n di n g
a p e r s o n f o r wh a t h a s a l r e a dy b e e n de eme d c r imi n a l c o n du c t i n
v i o l a t i o n o f P e n n s y l v a n i a p ub l i c p o l i c y . S e e F e de r a l I n s u r a n c e C o . v . P o t am k i n , 9 6 1 F . S upp . 1 0 9 , 1 1 3 ( E

. D

. P a . 1 9 9 7 ) ; Ge rma n t o wn I n s u r a n c e C omp a n y v . Ma r t i n , 5 9 5 A . 2 d 1 1 7 2 , 1 1 7 5 ( P a . S up e r . 1 9 9 1 ) ( " T h e c o u r t s o f P e n n s y l v a n i a h ave r e f u s e d t o r e qu i r e a n i n s u r e r t o de f e n d a n i n s u r e d f o r h i s own i n t e n t i o n a l t o r t s a n d / o r c r imi n a l
a c t s . " ) . T hu s , i t wo u l d b e a g a i n s t P e n n s y l v a n i a p ub l i c p o l i c y t o
r e qu i r e P l a i n t i f f t o de f e n d H oma n k o f o r wh a t h a s a l r e a dy b e e n de eme d c r imi n a l c o n du c t b y v i r t u e o f h i s gu i l t y p l e a . I V . T h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n i s n o t i n v i o l. a t i o n o f t h e P e nn s yl. v an i a Mo t o r Ve h i c l. e F i n an c i a l. Re s p o n s ib i l i t y L aw F i n a l l y , S a u e r s a r gu e s t h a t t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n
v i o l a t e s t h e Mo t o r Ve h i c l e F i n a n c i a l Re s p o n s i b i l i t y L aw ( " MVFRL " ) . 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 1 7 0 1 e t s e q . Un de r t h e MVFRL , t h e ve h i c l e ' s own e r i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
ma i n t a i n i n g f i n a n c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e ve h i c l e . 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 1 7 8 6 . " I t i s t h e 

### veh ic l e t h a t i s c o ve r e d b y t h e au t omob i l e p o l i c y , wh i l e a n i n di v i du a l i s c o ve r e d o n l y b y n a t u r e o f h i s fu n c t i o n a s t h e dr i ve r o f t h a t ve h i c l e . " L eb a n o n c o a c h C o , v . F S - 6
- 1 9 1 3C a r o l i n a C a s . I n s . C o . , 6 7 5 A . 2 d 2 7 9 , 2 8 4 ( P a . S up e r . 1 9 9 6 ) . T h e

MVFRL do e s n o t p r o v i de t h a t a n i n s u r e r mu s t de f e n d a n d i n demn i f y a dr i ve r eve n i f t h a t d r i ve r c ommi t s a c r i me wh i l e d r i v i n g . An i n s u r e r ' s du t y t o de f e n d i s a di s t i n c t ob l i g a t i o n , d i f f e r e n t f r om
a n d b r o a de r t h a n i t s du t y t o p r ov i de c o ve r a g e . Id . a t 2 8 6 . I n de e d, t h e MVFRL i t s e l f e x c l u de s b e n e f i t s f o r a n y i n s u r e d wh o i s i n j u r e d du r i n g t h e c ommi s s i o n o f a f e l o n y . 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 1 7 1 8 ( a ) ( 2 ) . S a u e r s a r gu e s t h a t t h e c r i mi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n v i o l a t e s p ub l i c p o l i c y a n d t h e pu rp o s e o f t h e MVFRL a s s t a t e d i n D o n e g a l Mu t u a l I n s u r a n c e C omp a n y v . L o n g , T h e p u rp o s e o f t h e Mo t o r ve h i c l e Re s p o n s i b i l i t y L aw 

### i s t o r e qu i r e own e r s o f r e g i s t e r e d ve h i c l e s t o b e f i n a n c i a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e . . . Vi c t i ms o f a c c i de n t s w i t h r e n t a l ve h i c l e s mi gh t [ a s a r e s u l t o f t h e c o ve r a ge e x c l u s i o n ] f i n d t h ems e l ve s w i t h o u t r e c o u r s e t o c omp e n s a t i o n f o r t h e i r i n j u r i e s , o r p e r h ap s o n l y t o t h e e x t e n t o f th e i r own u n i n s u r e d mo t o r i s t c o ve r a g e , ab s e n t t h e f o r t u i t y t h a t t h e d r i ve r o f t h e r e n t a l ve h i c l e i s c o ve r e d b y o t h e r i n s u r a n c e o r p o s s e s s e s s u f f i c i e n t a s s e t s f o r c omp e n s a t i o n . T h e pub l i c p o l i c y e n u n c i a t e d b y t h e Mo t o r ve h i c l e F i n a n c i a l Re s p o n s i b i l i t y L aw , p u r s u a n t t o i t s 1 9 8 5 p r ov i s i o n s , i s t o f o s t e r f i n a n c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r dama g e s c a u s e d t o i n d i v i du a l s o n th e r o a dw a y s , n o t t o p r omo t e u n i n s u r a n c e . 5 6 4 A . 2 d 9 3 7 , 9 4 3
- 4 4 ( P a . S up e r . 1 9 8 9 ) . H e r e , t h e r e i s n o r i s k t h a t t h e s ub j e c t i n s u r a n c e a g r e eme n t
w i l l l e ave a n i n j u r e d t h i r d p a r t y w i t h o u t r e c o u r s e . T h e i n s u r e d i s t h e B o r o u gh o f Ne s qu e h o n i n g , a n d i t ma i n t a i n s f i n a nc i a l
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r i t s ve h i c l e s t h r o u gh t h e s ub j e c t i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y i n c omp l i a n c e w i t h t h e MVFRL . Ne s qu e h o n i n g i t s e l f c a n n o t b e F S - 6
- 1 9 1 4e x c l u de d f r om c o ve r a g e u n de r t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n a s a

mu n i c i p a l i t y c a n n o t b e c o nv i c t e d o f a c r ime . T h e r e f o r e , t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n do e s n o t v i o l a t e t h e p u rp o s e o r t h e t e x t o f t h e MVFRL . 

## v . T h o u gh t h e u n de r l y i n g c omp l a i n t l i e s i n n e g l i g e n c e , i t h a s b e e n j u d i c i a l l y de t e rmi n e d t h a t H oma n ko ' s a c t i o n s we r e
c r i.mi n a 1 a c t s a s de f i n e d i n t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y c o n t r a c t H oma n ko a r gu e s t h a t , b e c a u s e t h e u n de r l y i n g a c t i o n s o u n d s i n
n e g l i g e n c e , t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n wo u l d n o t t r i g ge r . H o we ve r , a s s t a t e d ab o ve , t h e p a r t i c u l a r c a u s e o f a c t i o n t h a t
a c omp l a i n a n t p l e a d s a g a i n s t a n i n s u r e d i s n o t de t e rmi n a t i ve o f
wh e t h e r t h e i n s u r e r ' s du t i e s t o de f e n d a n d t o i n demn i f y h ave b e e n t r i g g e r e d , b u t r a t h e r i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o l o o k a t t h e f a c t u a l
a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n th e c omp l a i n t . Mu t u a l B e n e f i t I n s u r a n c e C o . v . H ave r , 7 2 5 A . 2 d a t 7 4 5 . T h e c omp l a i n t p r o v i de s t h a t H oma n ko p l e a de d gu i l t y t o t h e c r imi n a l o f f e n s e s o f H omi c i de b y Ve h i c l e 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 7 3 2 , Re c k l e s s l y E n da n ge r i n g An o t h e r P e r s o n 1 8 P a . C . S . A . § 2 7 0 5 , F a i l u r e t o Ke e p Ri gh t 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 3 0 1 , a n d C a r e l e s s D r i v i n g 7 5 P a . C . S . A . § 3 7 1 4 . T h o s e c r i mi n a l a c t i o n s
r e s u l t e d i n t h e i n j u r y t o Mr . a n d Mr s . S a u e r s , i n c l u di n g t h e de a t h
o f Mr s . S a u e r s , f o r wh i c h t h e u n de r l y i n g c omp l a i n t wa s b r o u gh t . T h e r e f o r e , t h e c r imi n a l a c t s e x c l u s i o n a s p r o v i de d i n t h e i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y app l i e s , a n d P l a i n t i f f n e e d n o t de f e n d o r i n demn i f y H oma nko

F S - 6
- 1 9 1 5i n t h e a c t i o n b e f o r e t h e Un i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t C o u r t f o r t h e

Mi ddl e D i s t r i c t o f P e n n s y l v a n i a . C ON C L U S I ON F o r t h e r e a s o n s s e t f o r t h h e r e i n ab ove , we r e s p e c t f u l l y
r e c omme n d t h a t t h e i n s t a n t app e a l b e de n i e d a n d t h a t o u r o r de r o f De c emb e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 8 , b e a f f i rme d a c c o r d i n g l y . B Y T HE C O URT :

S t e ve n R . S e r f a s s , J .

F S - 6
- 1 9 1 6