# FILED October 9, 1997 Cecil Crowson, Jr. App ellate C ou rt Clerk I N THECOUR

TOFAPPEALS

HOR AC EA. La R

UEa n dC

AR LA La R UE, ) KNOX C

I R C UI T Pa r e nt s a nd ne xt of ki n of ) C. A . N o. 03A 01- 9702- C

V

- 00053 R ANDALLC

HAR LESLa R

UE, de c e a s e d , ) ) ) Pl a i ntif f s - A pp e lla nt s ) ) ) ) ) ) vs . ) HON. W HEELER A. R OSENBALM ) J UDGE ) ) ) ) ) 1 8 1 7 LAKE

I NC OR POR ATED, d/ b/ a ) AFFI R M ED I N PAR

T, BONKER S , HOW AR D R. TANNENBAUM

, ) R

EVER SED I N PAR

T R I CKY C HAM BER S , R OBER TAR C HER , ) AND R

EM ANDED. a n dDANNY G. BR

EW ER , ) ) D

e f e n d a nt s - A

pp e l l ees )

W I LLI A M A . S I M M S , A r ne t t , D

r a pe r &

H a good, K

noxvi l l e , f or A

ppe l

- l a nt . RI CH A RD W . BA K ER , J R. , G

ilr e a t h&

A s s o c i a t e s , Kn o x v i l l e , f or A pp e l l ee, D

a nnyG . Br e w e r . C A R O LA . BEELER

f or A pp e l l ee, Pe r m

a n e nt G

e n e r a l C

o m p a ni e s , I n c . DOUGLASL. D

U TTO N , H odge s , D

ought y &

Ca r s on, K

noxvi l l e , f or A ppe l l e e , M

a r yl a nd Ca s ua l t y I ns ur a nc e C o.2

J A M ESY . R EED , J e nki ns &

J e nki ns , K

noxvi l l e , f or A

ppe l l e e , R

i c ky C ha m be r s .3 O PI N I O N M c M ur r a y, J udge Thi s cas e ar i s e s f r o m a m o t or c y c l e acci de nt i nw hi c hRa ndy La R u e , t he 20- ye a r ol d s on of t he pl a i nt i f f s , w a s ki l l e d . Pl a i ntif f s s ue d 1817 La ke , I nc . d/ b/ a Bonke r s , a K noxvi l l e r e s t a ur a nt a nd ba r , a nd H ow a r d Ta nne nba um

, pr e s i de nt of 1817 La ke I n c . , a l l e gi ng t ha t t he de f e nda nt s ne gl i ge nt l y a ndunl a w f ul l y s e r v e dR

a ndy a ndhi s c om

pa ni on, de f e nda nt D a nny Br e w

e r , a l c ohol i c b e v e r a g e s on t he e ve ni ng of t he a c c i de nt . Pl a i nt i f f s a l s o s ue d R obe r t A

r c he r , t he ba r t e nde r w ho a l l e ge dl y pr ovi de d La R ue a nd Br e w e r w i t h t he dr i nks , a nd R i c ky C ha m be r s , t he door m

a non dut y a t Bonke r s t ha t ni ght . The r e m a i ni ng de f e nda nt , D a nny G . Br e w e r w a s t he ope r a t or of t he m ot or c yc l e a t t he t i m e of t he acci d e nt w hi c h r e s u l t e di nR

a n d a l l C

h a r l e s La R

u e ' s deat h . Th e cas e pr o ceede dt ot r i a l b e f or e a j ur y . A t t h e cl o s e o f p l a i ntif f s ' pr o o f , h o w e v e r , th e tr i a l c o ur t di r e c t e da v e r di c t in f a vor of a l l t he de f e nda nt s a nd di s m i s s e d t he c om

pl a i nt . Thi s a ppe a l r e s ul t e d. W e a f f i r m

t he c our t ' s r ul i ng a s t o t he " dr a m s hop" de f e nda nt s a nd r e ve r s e t he di r e c t e d ve r di c t i n f a vor of D a nny Br e w e r , t he dr i ve r of t he m ot or c yc l e . OnO c t obe r 26, 1992, R a ndy La R

ue a nd D

a nny Br e w

e r pl a ye d gol f i nt he m

or ni ng a nd e a r l y a f t e r noon. Br e w e r t e s t i f i e d t ha t t he y4

bought a 12- pa c k of be e r on t he w a y a ndw

hi l e pl a yi ng, e a c hof t he m dr a nk f our or f i ve . The y pl a ye d f r om a bout 10: 00 a . m

. unt i l 2: 00 i nt he a f t e r noon. O nt he w

a y ba c k t he y w

e nt t o a l i quor s t or e a nd bought a b o t t l e o f cheapw i n e cal l e dC

i s c o , a n ds p lit it w hile

" dr i vi ng a r ound. " Br e w e r t e s t i f i e d t ha t t he y e nde d up a t La R ue ' s hous e be t w

e e n 4: 15 a nd 5: 00 p. m . a nd a t e di nne r t he r e .
W hi l e a t t he La R

ue hous e , t he y s poke w i t h Pa m

V a n de r gr i ff, w

h o wa s c l e a ni ng t he hous e . She t e s tif i e dth a t ne i t he r one of t he m a pp ear e dt o be dr unk or unde r t he i nf l ue nc e of a l c ohol a nd t ha t " t h e yj u s t s eem

e dt obe j us t nor m a l guys . " She di d not s e e e i t he r of t he m

dr i nk a ny be e r w hi l e t he y w

e r e t he r e . Br e w

e r te s tif i e d t ha t he ha d a c up of be e r a t t he La R ue hous e . Af t e r l e a vi ng La R

ue ' s hous e , t he y m a de t w o br i e f s t ops , one a t a f r i e nd' s hous e a nda not he r at Br e w e r ' s h o u s e . A

t Br e w e r ' s h o u s e , t he yde c i de d t o t a ke Br e w e r ' s Suz uki m

ot or c yc l e t o Bonke r s . Bonke r s i s a r e s t a ur a nt a nd ba r on t ha t por t i on of C um be r l a nd A ve nue , i n c l os e pr oxi m i t y t o t he U

ni ve r s i t y of Te nne s s e e c a m pus , know na s " t he s t r i p. " R e s pondi ng t o t he que s t i on of w he t he r he w

a s unde r t he i nf l ue nc e of a n i nt oxi c a nt be f or e t he y got t o Bonke r s , Br e w e r r e pl i e d, " I ha d a s l i ght buz z , but I w a s no t int o x i c a t e d dr unk, no. "5

Th e ya rri ve d a t Bonke r s be f or e i t s r e gul a r ope ni ng hour a nd we r e a llo w

e dtoe nt e r . Br e w

e r te s tif i e dt ha t t he door m a n, C ha m be r s , l e t t he m

i n, but bot h C

ha m be r s a nd t he ba r t e nde r , A r c he r , t e s t i f i e d t h a t i t w

a s A r c he r w

ho ope ne d t he door f or t he m . I t i s undi s put e d t h a t no one a s ke d e i t he r R a ndy La R

ue or Br e w

e r f or ag e i de nt i f i catio nnor di d a nyone s t a m p t he i r ha nds w

i t ha de s i gna t i on of e i t he r unde r or ove r 21 ye a r s of a ge , w hi c h w a s Bonke r s ' nor m

a l pol i c y.

Th e w i t ne s s e s ' s t or i e s di ve r ge c ons i de r a bl y a t t hi s poi nt . Br e w e r t e s t i f i e d t ha t he a nd R a ndy s a t dow

n a t t he ba r , a nd A r c he r s e r v e dt h e m

a p i t c he r o f b eer . Br e w e r t e s t i f i e dt h a t t ot h e b e s t of hi s know

l e dge , A

r c he r ga ve t he m

t he dr i nks t he yha d t ha t ni ght , b ecau s e A

r c he r w

a s a f r i e nd of R

a ndy La R

ue . Br e w

e r di d not pa y f or a nydr i nks , a nd he s a i d t ha t he di d not s e e R a ndypa y f or a ny e i t he r , a l t hough he c oul dn' t be c om pl e t e l y s ur e w

he t he r he di d or not . A

t one poi nt i n hi s t e s t i m ony, Br e w

e r s a i d he t hought t ha t t he ydr a nk be t w

e e n one a nd t hr e e pi t c he r s , a nd pr oba bl y one a pi e c e , a n da t a not he r poi nt he s a i d he t hought he ha d dr unk10 or 12 be e r s a t Bonke r s .
A r c he r te s tif i e dth a t a f t e r the yw e r e a dm

itte d , th e yr e qu e s t e d t obe s e r v e d , an dA r c he r r e f u s e db ecau s e t h e yw e r e n o t "of ag e . " R a ndyLa R

ue t he n t ol d A

r c he r not t o w

or r y be c a us e Br e w

e r ha d a f a ke I . D. , a n dA

r c h e r r e p lie dth a t it di dn ' t m a tte r . A

r c h e r te s tif i e d t h a t la t e r h e n o tic e dth a t the tw ow e r e s ittingw

iths o m

e f r i e n d s6

t ha t ha d bought a pi t c he r , a nd t he y ha d gl a s s e s a nd w e r e dr i nki ng f r om t he pi t c he r . A

r c he r s t a t e d t ha t a l t hough he kne w bot h La R

ue a n dBr e w

e r w e r e un de r 21, he di d not hi ng a bout t he m s ha r i ng dr i nks fro m the pi t c he r . A

r c he r t e s t i f i e d t ha t he t hought t he y w e r e dr unk wh e nt he y got t he r e , a nd no m or e dr unk w

he n t he y l e f t . H ow e ve r , p l a i ntif f s i nt r oduc e d A r c he r ' s s i gne d s t a t e m e nt t o pol i c e inv e s tiga t or Tom

Pr e s s l e y, i n w

hi c h A r c he r s t a t e d, " I don' t know wh a t the y ha d be f or e t he y c a m e i n he r e , but I don' t t hi nk t he y w e r e dr unk. "

La R u e an dBr e w

e r w e r e at Bo nke r s f or a l i t t l e o v e r anh our . Br e w e r t e s t i f i e dt h a t as t h e yw e r e l eavi n g , A

r c he r g a v e hi m

a Cr o w

n R oya l a nd c oke , s a yi ng, " he r e ' s one f or t he r oa d, guys . " Br e w e r s t a t e d t ha t he " s l a m m e d" t he dr i nk j us t be f or e l e a vi ng.

La R u e br i e f l y c onve r s e d w i t h C ha m be r s a s he w

a s l e a vi ng a nd w hi l e Br e w

e r , w ho ha d a l r e a dy e xi t e d, w a s s i t t i ng on hi s m ot or c yc l e . C h a m b e r s t e s t i f i e dt h a t h e w a s ve r yco n cer n e dt h a t Br e w e r w a s dr unk, b ecau s e hi s ey e s w e r e r e dan dg l a s s yan d"he w a s act i n g w i l d . " He s t a t e dt h a t h e expr e s s e dco n cer nt o La R ue a bout ge t t i ng ont he m

ot or c yc l e w

i t h Br e w

e r , a nd t r i e d t o pe r s ua de hi m not t o do s o a nd of f e r e d t o f i nd hi m a not he r r i de . C ha m be r s t e s t i f i e d t ha t R a ndyLa R

ue di d not a ppe a r dr unk a t t he t i m e , a nd t ha t he c oul dn' t t e l l t ha t a nyt hi ng w a s w r ong w ithhi m

. La R u e ' s la s t w

or d s to C ha m be r s w e r e , " R

i c k , if I di dn ' t thi nkh e w e r e cap a b l e o f dr i v i n g i t , I w

o u l dn ' t ge t onit . "7

Bo t hA r c he r an dC

h a m b e r s t e s t i f i e dt h a t t he y w i t ne s s e d t he tw

o l e a vi ng, a nd t ha t t he y w e r e he a de d e a s t , t ow a r d dow

nt ow n a nd t he acci de nt s i t e w

i t hBr e w

e r dr i vi ng . Br e w e r te s tif i e dth a t b e f or e t he a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d t he y he a de d w e s t , a nd s t oppe d a t a f r i e nd' s hous e on C

onc or d St r e e t t o pi c k up a vi de o ga m e . Th e a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d on t he M a i n A ve nue r a m

p i n dow

nt ow n K noxvi l l e , be t w

e e n 9: 15 a nd 9: 30 p. m . , a l m o s t im m e di a t e l ya f t e r the t w ol e f t Bonke r s . The m ot or c yc l e s t r uc k t he ri ght s i de of a gua r dr a i l a s t h e y w e r e e xi t i ng t he r a m p. N o ot he r ve hi c l e s w e r e i nvol ve d. R

a ndy La R

ue w a s t hr ow

n be t w e e n 30 a nd 40 f e e t f r om t he m ot or c yc l e , s us t a i ne d a m a s s i ve he a d i nj ur y a nd ne ve r r e g a i n e d c ons c i ous ne s s .
Fi r s t on t he s c e ne w a s M r . J i m H e nde r s on, a n e m

pl oye e of t he K noxC ount y She r i f f ' s D e pa r t m e nt w ho w a s t he n of f dut y a nd t r a ve l i ng w

i t h hi s w

i f e . H

e s t oppe d hi s c a r a nd a s s i s t e d Br e w e r , wh oha d s us t a i ne da s e r i ous l e g i nj ur y but w a s c ons c i ous . H e nde r s ona s ke d Br e w e r w ha t ha ppe ne d a nd he s a i d " t ha t t he y ha d cam e o f f the hill a t M a i n St r e e t goi ng t oo f a s t a nd he ha d l os t c ont r ol . " M

s . Tr i c i a A

m m ons , a p a r a m

e di c , t e s t i f i e dt h a t Br e w e r t o l dh e r at t h e s cene t h a t h e "w a s dr i v i n ga little to of a s t a n dh e l os t c ont r ol a nd w r e c ke d. "8

At t h e t i m

e o f t h e acci de nt , Br e w e r ' s b l o o dal c oh o l l e v e l w a s de t e r m i n e dt o be 0. 21, a nd La R ue ' s w a s m e a s ur e d a t 0. 10. Br e w e r l a t e r pl e d gui l t y t o a c ha r ge of c r i m i na l l y ne gl i ge nt hom i c i de .
I .

Th e f i r s t is s u e w e w ill a ddr e s s i s t he pr opr i e t y of t he tr i a l c our t ' s a c t i on i n di r e c t i ng a ve r di c t i n f a vor of t he " dr a m s hop" de f e nda nt s , i.e . , al l t h o s e de f e n d a nt s t h a t w e r e al l e g e dt ob e ne gl i ge nt i n pr ovi di ng a l c ohol t o La R ue a nd Br e w

e r . A s the p a r tie s r eco g ni ze, our a na l ys i s i s gove r ne d by T. C. A . §§ 57- 10- 101 a nd 102, w hi c hs t a t e :

57- 10- 101. Pr oxi m at e c aus e . —

Th e g e n e r a l as s e m b l y h e r e b yf i nds a nd de c l a r e s t ha t t he c ons um pt i on of a ny a l c ohol i c b e v e r a g e or b eer r a t he r t ha n t he f ur ni s hi ngof a nyal c oh o l i c b e v e r a g e or b eer i s t h e pr o x i m a t e cau s e of i nj ur i e s i nf l i c t e d upon a not he r by a nint o x i c a t e dpe r s on. 57- 10- 102. St andar dof Pr oof . —N ot w i t hs t a ndi ng t he pr ovi s i ons of § 57- 10- 101, no j udge or j ur y m a ypr onounc e a j udgm

e nt a w a r di ng da m

a ge s t o or on be ha l f of a ny pa r t y wh oha s s uf f e r e d pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h a ga i ns t a ny pe r s onw

ho ha s s ol d a ny a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r , unl e s s s uc h j ur y of t w e l ve ( 12) pe r s ons ha s f i r s t a s cer t a i n e dbe yond a r e a s o na bl e doubt t ha t t he s a l e by s u c hp e r s on of t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r w a s t he pr oxi m a t e c a us e of t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h s us t a i ne d a nd t ha t s uc h pe r s on:

( 1 ) So l d t h e al c oh o l i c b e v e r a g e or b eer t oa pe r s onknow

n t obe unde r t he a ge of t w e nt y- one ( 21) y ear s an ds uc h pe r s on c a us e d t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y or deat ha s t he di r e c t r e s ul t of t he c ons um pt i on of t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r s o s ol d; or9 ( 2) S ol d t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r t o a n obvi ous l yi nt oxi c a t e d pe r s on a nd s uc h pe r s on c a us e d t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h a s t he di r e c t r e s u l t of t he c ons um

pt i on of t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a g e o r be e r s o s ol d. I t s e e m

s qu i t e c l e a r tha t f or T. C. A . § 57- 10- 102t o a ppl y, t he p l a i ntif f s m

us t pr ove be yond a r e a s ona bl e doubt t ha t t he de f e nda nt s

" s o l d " an al c oh o l i c b e v e r a g e t oLa R u e andBr e w

e r . Th e s t a t ut e i n eachan dev e r yi n s t a n ce r e qu i r e s a s a l e b e f or e l i a b i l i t ycanb e i m pos e d. The r e i s no di r e c t e vi de nc e nor e vi de n ce i nt h e r ecor d f r o m w hi c hani nf e r e n ce canr eas o n a b l yb e dr a w n , t h a t t h e r e w

a s a s a l e t o e i t he r Br e w e r or La R

ue by t he " dr a m

s hop" de f e nda nt s . Pl a i ntif f s a r gue , how e ve r , t ha t t he s t a t ut e s houl d not be c ons t r ue d a s t o r e qui r e a " s a l e " of a l c ohol t o a m i nor or obvi ous l y i nt oxi

- cat e dpe r s on. The y a r gue t ha t , be c a us e of publ i c pol i c y a ga i ns t f ur ni s hi ng a l c ohol t o m i nor s , a s how

i ng be yond a r e a s ona bl e doubt t h a t a de f e nda nt " f ur ni s he d" a l c ohol t o a pe r s onunde r 21 s houl d be e noughtoa llo w

a jur y t o de c i de w he t he r t he f ur ni s hi ng w a s t he pr oxi m a t e cau s e o f anacci de nt . W e m o s t r e s p ect f u l l ydi s a gr ee. W e s houl df i r s t n o t e th a t it is w ithi nthe pr o v i n c e o f t h e G e n e r a l A sse m b l yt o e s t a bl i s h a nd pr oc l a i m publ i c pol i c y. The Supr e m e C our t in W

a t s on v. C

l e ve l a nd C

ha i r C o , 789 S . W

. 2d 538 ( Te nn. 1989) , m a de t he f ol l ow

i ng obs e r va t i ons :

A de f i n itiv e s t a t e m e nt o nthe a ut h or ityo f the c our t s t o de t e r m i ne publ i c pol i c y c a n be f ound i n N a s hv ille R

y. a nd Li ght C

o. v. La w

s on , 144 Te nn. 78, 91,10

229 S . W

. 741 ( 1920) , c i t i ng f r om Li c e ns e Ta x Ca s e , 5 W a l l , 469, 18 L. Ed. 497:

" Thi s C

our t c a n know

not hi ng of publ i c pol i c y e xc e pt f r om

t he c ons t i t ut i on a nd t he l a w s , a nd t he c our s e of a dm

i ni s t r a t i on a nd de c i s i on. I t ha s no l e g i s l a tiv e pow

e r s . I t c a nnot a m e nd or m

odi f y a ny l e g i s l a tiv e a c t s . I t c a nnot e xa m i ne que s t i ons a s e xpe di e nt or i ne xpe di e nt , or a s pol i t i c or i m pol i

- tic . Co n s i de r a tio n s o f th a t s or t m u s t, ing e n e r a l , be a ddr e s s e d t o t he l e gi s l a t ur e . Q ue s t i ons of pol i c y de t e r m

i ne d t he r e a r e c onc l ude d he r e . " Wa t s o n , s upr a a t pa ge 540. See al s o Sm ithv. G

or e , 728 S . W

. 2d 738 a n dt h e cases ci t e dt h e r e i n . Th e G e ne r a l A

s s e m bl y ha s una m

bi guous l y de c l a r e d t he publ i c pol i c yw

i t h r e ga r d t o t he f ur ni s hi ng of a l c ohol t o pe r s ons unde r t he ag e o f 2 1 as i t r e l a t e s t o"dr a m s h op s . " W

e ar e n o t at l i b e r t y t ohol d ot he r w

i s e . A

cco r di ngl y, i n t he a bs e nc e of e vi de nc e of a s a l e , th e tr i a l c o ur t w a s c or r e c t indi r e c tin ga v e r di c t inf a v or of t he " dr a m

s hop" de f e nda nt s .
II.

Af t e r di r e c t i ng ve r di c t s f or t he dr a m s hop de f e nda nt s , t he t r i a l c our t f ound, a s t o t he r e m a i ni ng de f e nda nt , t ha t r e a s ona bl e m i nds c oul d r e a c h onl y o n e co n c l u s i o n— t h a t La R

u e w a s at l eas t f i f t yp e r cent at f a u l t f or hi s de a t h, w he n c om

pa r e d w

i t ht h e f a u l t of Br e w

e r . W e m u s t di s a gr e e . A

lth o u g hthi s is a dm itte dl ya c l o s e que s t i on, we f i n dth e t r i a l c our t s houl d ha ve a l l ow e d i t t o be de c i de d by t he j ur y.11

A s th e p l a i ntif f p o i nt s o ut, th e f a c t s o f thi s c a s e a r e v e r y s i m ila r t o t hos e i n Si l c ox v. C of f e e , 199 3 W

L350134 ( Te nn. A pp. Se p t . 15, 1 993) . I n Silc o x , th e p l a i ntif f w a s kille dina n a ut om obi l e a c c i de nt a f t e r bot h he a nd t he de f e nda nt dr i ve r ha d be e n dr i nki nghe a vi l y. The de f e nda nt ' s bl ood a l c ohol l e ve l w a s 0. 39 a nd p l a i ntif f ' s w

a s 0. 37. I d . a t **1. The c our t s t a t e d t he f ol l ow i ng:

O ur i nqui r y i s w

he t he r vi e w

i ng t he e vi de nc e i n t he p l a i ntif f ' s f a vor , t h e evi de n ce canr eas o n a b l ys uppor t a c onc l us i ont h a t [ p l a i ntif f ' s ] de c i s i o ntor i de w itha n i nt o x i c a t e ddr i ve r di dnot a c c ount f or 50 pe r c e nt or mor e of t he pr oxi m

a t e c a us e of hi s de a t h. Th e r eas o n a b l e n e s s of a p l a i ntif f ' s de c i s i on t o e nc ount e r t hi s r i s k i s a f act u a l de t e r m

i na t i on t o be de t e r m i ne d by t h e t r i e r o f f act .. . Inthe c a s e a t b a r , th e jur yde t e r m i n e dth a t [ p l a i ntif f ' s ] de a t h w a s c a us e d 40 pe r c e nt by hi s ow n ne gl i ge nc e . Thi s c onc l us i on ne c e s s a r i l y i nvol ve s a c ons i de r a t i onof t he r e a s ona bl e ne s s of [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] deci s i o nt o r i de w i t h t he de f e nda nt . The r e i s a m pl e e vi de nc e t o s uppor t t ha t [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] de c i s i on t o r i de w ithde f e nda nt w

a s unr e a s ona bl e . W e c a nnot s a y, how

e ve r , t ha t t he e vi de nc e doe s not e s t a bl i s h a ba s i s f r om w hi c h t he jur yc oul dha ve c onc l ude d t ha t [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] de c i s i on accou nt e dfor l e s s t ha n 50 pe r c e nt of t he pr oxi m a t e cau s e of hi s de a t h. A c c or di ngl y, w

e f i nd no e r r or w i t h t he t r i a l c our t ' s de ni a l of de f e nda nt ' s m ot i on f or a di r e c t e d ve r di c t a nd hi s m ot i on f or a ne w

t r i a l . I d . a t **5 ( e m

pha s i s a dde d; c i t a t i on om i t t e d) .
I n Silc o x , t he de f e nda nt a r gue d t ha t Si l c ox a s s um e d t he r i s k of de a t h by r i di ng w i t h a n i nt oxi c a t e d dr i ve r a nd t hus w a s ba r r e d fro m r eco v e r i n gd a m

a g e s . D

e f e n d a nt ci t e d H a r v e yv . W

h eel e r , 5 712

Te nn. A

pp. 642, 423 S . W. 2 d283, 285 ( Te nn. 1967) , i n w hi c h t he c our t s a i d:

As a ge ne r a l pr opos i t i on, a gue s t - pa s s e nge r i s pr e c l ude dfro m

re c ove r i ng f or i nj ur i e s s us t a i ne d i n a n a ut om obi l e a c c i de nt w

he r e t he i nt oxi c a t e d c ondi t i on of t he dr i ve r of t he a ut om obi l e i n w

hi c h [ t he pa s s e nge r ] wa s r i di n gw

a s a pr o x i m

a t e cau s e o f t h e acci de nt , i f t h e gue s t - pa s s e nge r kne w or s houl d ha ve know n of t he dr i ve r ' s i nt o x i c a tio na t t he t i m e t he gue s t - pa s s e nge r vol unt e e r e d t o r i de i n t he a ut om obi l e . * * * * W he t he r or not t he gue s t - pa s s e nge r i s c ont r i but or i l y ne gl i ge nt inr i di n gi n t he a ut om obi l e of t he de f e nda nt is not t ob e de t e r m i n e do nt h e ci r c um s t a n ces as t h e y a pp ear e dt o t he gue s t - pa s s e nge r , but is tob e de t e r m i n e d by c om pa r i ng t he gue s t pa s s e nge r ' s c onduc t w i t h t ha t of a nor di na r i l y pr ude nt m a n unde r l i ke c i r c um s t a nc e s . ( c i t a t i o no m

i t t e d ) . As in Silc o x , t h e r e i s a m pl e e vi de nc e he r e s ugge s t i ng t ha t La R u e ' s de c i s i on t o ge t on t he m ot or c yc l e w

a s ill- a dv i s e da n d ne gl i g e nt . H

ow e ve r , vi e w

i ng a l l of t he e vi de nc e i n a l i ght m os t f a vor a bl e top l a i ntif f s , a s w e a r e r e qu i r e dtod o, w e c a nnot s a y t h a t r e a s ona bl e m i nds c oul dr eac h onl y t he c onc l us i on t ha t La R ue wa s equ a l l yor m or e at f a u l t t h a nBr e w e r . W

e agr ee t h a t t h e c onc l us i onr eache db yt h e t r i a l cour t t h a t La R u e ' s f a u l t w

a s equ a l t oor gr eat e r t h a nBr e w e r ' s i s a r eas o n a b l e co n c l u s i o n . W e cann o t s a y , how

e ve r , t ha t t he r e i s not a not he r c onc l us i on t ha t c oul d be r e a c he d by r e a s ona bl e m i nds .13

Br e w e r w a s t he ope r a t or of t he m ot or c yc l e a nd a dm i t t e dl y w

a s t r a v e lin gt o of a s t at t h e t i m e t h e acci de nt o ccur r e d . I t i s n o t unr e a s ona bl e t o c onc l ude t h a t t h e acci de nt w a s cau s e db yex ces s i v e s p eedr a t he r t ha n or i n a ddi t i on t o Br e w e r s s t a t e of i nt oxi c a t i on. Br e w e r ' s bl ood a l c ohol c ont e nt w a s r oughl y t w

i c e t ha t of La R

ue ' s . I nthe f i n a l a n a l y s i s , a s the Silc o xc our t not e d, c om pa r a t i ve f a ul t i s a que s t i on of f a c t w i t hi n t he j ur y' s pr ovi nc e , w hi c h s houl dnot lightlybe i nva de d by t he t r i a l c our t . W e do not m

e a n t oim

p l yin a nyf a s hi on t ha t th e tr i a l c o ur t ' s a c t i on ga ve l i ght c ons i de r a t i on t ot h e evi de n ce or a ny ot he r f a c e t o f t h e case. W e ar e o f t h e opi ni ont h a t , u n de r al l t h e ci r c um s t a n ces o f t hi s cas e , t h e que s t i onof t he de gr e e of f a ul t be t w e e n La R

ue a nd Br e w

e r s houl d ha ve be e n s ubm

i t t e d t o t he j ur y.

Th e c a s e s c i t e d a nd r e l i e d upon by Br e w e r , W a tts v . R

ob e r t s o n C ount y , 1994 W

L706676 ( Te nn. A pp. D e c . 21, 1994) , Ca r r v. O z bur nH e sse ySt or a ge Co . , 1996 W L383295 ( Te nn. A pp. J ul y 10, 1996) , a nd Es t a t e of G

unt e r v . S m

ith , 1996 W

L283069 ( Te nn. A pp. M a y 30, 1996) , a r e c l e a r l y di s t i ngui s ha bl e on t he i r f a c t s f r om t hi s c a s e . I n W a tts , th e p l a i ntif f s , p a s s e n g e r s ina m o t or ve hi c l e , br ought s ui t f or da m

a ge s unde r t he pr ovi s i o ns of t he G ove r nm e nt Tor t Li a b ilityA

c t , s e e ki ng t o r e c ove r da m a ge s f or t he i r i nj ur i e s . The c a s e w a s t r i e d a t a be nc h t r i a l a nd t he c our t f ound t he i s s ue s i n f a vor of t he de f e nda nt . Spe c i f i c a l l y, t he c our t f ound t ha t t he pa s s e nge r s w

e r e a s know

l e dge a bl e a bout t he c ondi t i ons of t he14

r oa dw a y, br i dge a nd w

e a t he r c ondi t i ons a s t he dr i ve r . Fa ul t w a s a ppor t i one da nd a s be t w e e n t he pl a i nt i f f s a nd t he de f e nda nt, th e c our t de t e r m

i n e dth a t the p l a i ntif f ' s f a u l t ex ceede dt h a t o f t h e de f e nda nt . Thi s c our t i n a ddr e s s i ng t he i s s ue s t a t e d:

Th e Tr i a l J udge di d not e r r one ous l ya ppl y t he l a w as t ot he dut y of a pa s s e nge r unde r t he f a c t s f ound by hi m . Pa s s e n g e r s i n m

ot or ve hi c l e s ha ve a dut y t o e xe r c i s e r eas o n a b l e ca r e fo r t he i r ow n s a f e t y. M

a ns f i e l d v. C ol oni a l Fr e i ght Sys t e m s , Te nn. A

pp. 1993, 862 S . W . 2 d 527. I t i s n e g l i g e n ce f or a p a s s e n g e r t o vol unt a r i l y c ont i nue a s s uc h w i t h know

l e dge of c ondi t i ons of unr e a - s ona bl e d a nge r . Ta l bot v. Ta yl or , 184 Te nn. 428, 201 S . W . 2 d1 ( 1947 ) . A

pa s s e nge r doe s not ha ve t he s a m e dut i e s a s t he dr i ve r of a ve hi c l e , but i s not w i t hout r e s p o n s i b ilityf or hi s or he r ow n s a f e t y. H

a r r i s on v. Pittm a n , Te nn. 1976, 534 S . W . 2d 311.

We ha ve no a r gum

e nt w i t h t he pr opos i t i on s e t out i n W a tts . I t i s im p or t a nt ton o t e th a t in W a tts , how

e ve r , t ha t t he f i ndi ngs of f a ul t w

e r e m a de by t he t r i e r of f a c t a nd i nvol ve d t he c r e di bi l i t y o f w i t n e s s e s . Su c hi s n o t t h e case her e .

Ca r r v. O

z bur n- H

e sse ySt or a ge C

o . , inv o l v e da c o llis i o n b e t w eena n a ut om

obi l e a nd a t r uc k. The de f e nda nt m ove dfor s u m

m a r y j udgm e nt . The c our t de t e r m i ne d t ha t t he r e w e r e no ge nui ne i s s ue s of m a t e r i a l f a c t a nd s us t a i ne d t he m ot i on f or s um

m a r y j udgm

e nt , f i ndi ngf r om

t he undi s put e d f a c t s t ha t t he pl a i nt i f f w a s , a s a m a tte r o f la w

, m or e th a n5 0 %

a t f a u lt. W

e d on o t b e lie v e th a t in15

t hi s c a s e t he f a c t s be f or e t he c our t a r e undi s put e d t o t he e xt e nt t h a t a j u d g m

e nt canb e m

a de as a m

a t t e r o f l a w

.
I n Es t a t e o f G

u nt e r v . S m

ith , th i s c o u r t , i nes s e n ce, de t e r m i n e dt ha t f r om

t he undi s put e d e vi de nc e t he r e w a s n o ne gl i - ge nc e on t he pa r t of t he pl a i nt i f f . The c our t s t a t e d:

I nthe f i n a l a n a l y s i s , if the a pp e lla nt is e ntitle d t or e c ove r f or t he de a t h of t he de c e de nt unde r t h e c i r c um s t a n ces pr e s e nt h e r e , s u c hr eco v e r ym u s t n ecess a r - ilyb e ba s e d on a n i nf e r e nc e t ha t t he de f e nda nt s houl d ha ve s eent h e decede nt b e f or e t h e co l l i s i o no ccur r e d . W e don o t b e l i e v e t h a t act i o n a b l e n e g l i g e n ce canb e i nf e r r e d f r o m "t h e m

e r e f act o f t h e o ccur r e n ce o f i nj ur yal o n e . " W i l l i a m s v . J or d a n , 208 Te nn. 456, 346 S . W . 2d 583, 586 ( Te nn. A

pp. 1961) . Ea t on v. M c La i n , 891 S . W

. 2d 587, 590 ( Te nn. 1994) hol ds t ha t t he doc t r i ne of c om pa r a t i ve f a u lt, M

c I nt yr e v . Ba l e ntine , 833 S . W . 2d 52 ( Te nn. 1992) doe s not a l t e r t he s t a nda r ds w hi c h gove r n a s s e s s m e nt of e vi de nc e ba s e d upont he ne gl i ge nc e of a pl a i nt i f f , a ndwe t hi nkth e tr i a l ju d g e c or r e c tlyh e l d t ha t r eas o n a b l e m i nds c oul d not di f f e r a s t o t he c onc l us i on t o be dr a w n i na light m

o s t f a v or a b l e t othe p l a i ntif f th a t the n e g l i g e n ce o f t h e deceased w a s equ a l t oor gr eat e r t h a n a ny i nf e r e nt i a l ne gl i ge nc e of t he de f e nda nt . We do not be l i e ve t ha t t he a ut hor i t i e s c i t e d by t he de f e nda nt s ha ve a ny a ppl i c a t i on t o t he i s s ue s unde r c ons i de r a t i on he r e . H e r e , i t i s r e a s ona bl e t o c onc l ude t ha t m or e pr oba bl e t ha n not bot h p a r tie s w

e r e ne gl i ge nt . Suf f i c i e nt doubt e xi s t s , how e ve r , t o r e qui r e t he c a s e t o be s ubm i t t e d t o t he j ur y.

A c c or di ngl y, w

e r e v e r s e the a c tio no f the tr i a l c o ur t in di r e c tin ga ve r di c t a ga i ns t t he pl a i nt i f f s a nd i n f a vor of t he16

de f e nda nt , Br e w

e r . Th e tr i a l c o ur t is a f f i r m e dina ll o t he r r e s p ect s .
I n our di s c r e t i o nco s t s o f t hi s app eal ar e as s e s s e dequ a l l y b e t w eent he pl a i nt i f f s a nd t he de f e nda nt , Br e w e r . W e r e m a nd t he cas e t o t he t r i a l c our t f or a ne w t r i a l a s t o t he de f e nda nt , Br e w e r .

_____________________________ D on T. M

c M ur r a y, J udge

___________________________________ H ous t on M

. G odda r d, Pr e s i di ng J udge

___________________________________ C ha r l e s D

. Sus a no, J r . , J udge

# FILED October 9, 1997 Cecil Crowson, Jr. App ellate C ou rt Clerk I N THECOUR

TOFAPPEALSOFTENNES SEE EA STER N SEC TI O N

HOR AC EA. La R

UEa n dC

AR LA ) La R U E, Pa r e nt s a nd ne xt of ki n ) o f R ANDALLC

HAR LESLa R

UE, ) D eceased ) ) Pl a i ntif f s - A

pp e lla nt s )

) ) v. ) KNOX C OUNTY ) 03A 01- 9702- C

V

- 00053 ) 1 8 1 7 LAKE

I NC OR POR ATED, d/ b/ a ) BONKER S , HOW AR D R. TANNENBAUM

, ) RI CK Y CH A M BERS , RO

BERTA RCH ER, ) a n dDANNY G. BR

EW ER )

) D e f e n d a nt s - A

pp e l l ees )

CONC UR R I NG OPI NI ON

G

odda r d, P. J .

I c onc ur i n J udge M c M urra y ' s r e v e r s a l o f t h e Tr i a l C our t ' s di s m

i s s a l of t he c a s e a ga i ns t t he ope r a t or of t he m ot or c yc l e , M r . Br e w

e r , f or t he r e a s ons s t a t e d t he r e i n, a nd i n hi s a ffi r m a n c e o f the di s m

i s s a l a s tothe " dr a m s h o p " D e f e n d a nt s . I ba s e m y c onc ur r e nc e a s t o t he l a t t e r upon T. C. A . 57- 10- 101, w

hi c h1 T.C.A . 57-4-203(b), which the complaint alleges the "dram shop "

Defendants violated, provides the following:

(b) SALES TO MINORS PROHIBITED. (1) Any licensee or other personwho sells, furnishes, disposes of, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, disposed of, or given, any alcoholic bever age to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. 18 pr ovi de s t ha t c ons um i ngr a t he r t ha n f ur ni s hi ng 1al c oh o l i c b e v e r a g e s i s t he pr oxi m

a t e c a us e of i nj ur i e s i nf l i c t e d by a n i nt oxi c a t e d pe r s on.

I nr e a c hi ng t hi s c onc l us i on I not e t ha t no c ons t i t ut i ona l a t t a c kis le v e l e da s tothe s t a t ut e a n d , f ur t he r , t h a t the i m

por t of T. C. A

. 57- 10- 102 i s not e nt i r e l y c l e a r . M y r eadi n gof bot h C ode Se c t i ons , how e ve r , pe r s ua de s m e t ha t T. C. A

. 57- 10- 102i s i nt e nde d a s a n e xc e pt i on t o 57

- 10- 10 1 a nd a l l ow s r eco v e r yi f t h e r e qu i r e m e nt s co nt a i n e dt h e r e i nar e m e t . W hi l e i t s eem s a nom a l ous t o m

e t ha t t he Le g i s l a t ur e w oul d i ns ul a t e a n a l c ohol i c di s p e n s i n ge s t a b lis hm e nt f r o m

lia b ilityw

he n t he s pi r i t s a r e gi ve n a w

a y t o t hos e unde r 21 or i nt oxi c a t e d, a s o p pos e d t o be i ngs ol d, I c onc l ude t ha t unde r t he c l e a r l a ngua ge of T. C. A . 57- 10- 101 t he a c t s of t he " dr a m s hop" D

e f e nda nt s , w

ho f ur ni s he d but di dnot s e l l t he i nt oxi c a t i ng be ve r a ge , a r e not t he pr oxi m a t e c a us e of t h e deat ho f M r . La R u e , w hi c hi s n ecess a r yt ocas t t h e m i n j udgm e nt .

_______________________________ H ous t on M

. G odda r d, P. J .1920 

# FILED October 9, 1997 Cecil Crowson, Jr. App ellate C ou rt Clerk IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

HORACE A. LaRUE and CARLA LaRUE,) C/A NO. 03A01-9702-CV-00053 Parents and next of kin of ) RANDALL CHARLES LaRUE, deceased,) ) Plaintiffs-Appellants,) ) ) ) ) APPEAL AS OF RIGHT FROM THE v. ) KNOX COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT ) ) ) 1817 LAKE INCORPORATED, d/b/a ) BONKERS, HOWARD R. TANNENBAUM, ) RICKY CHAMBERS, ROBERT ARCHER, ) and DANNY G. BREWER, ) ) HON. WHEELER A. ROSENBALM Defendants-Appellees. ) JUDGE



### CONCURR I NG OPI NI ON

Iconcur completely inJudge McMurray’s holding thatthe dram shop defendants were entitled to a directed verdict. I also agreewith his reasoning in support of that holding. As to the defendant Brewer, I agree that, based upon the plaintiffs’ proof, ajury could reasonably find that any negligence on the part of the deceasedwas less than the negligence of Brewer. Therefore, I agreethat the plaintiffs ’ claim against Brewer must be remanded for a new trial. My concurrence is limited to these statements.

__________________________ Charles D. Susano, Jr., J.