LEGAL DOCUMENT

Case: Luigi Rivera vs. United Electric Rys. Co.; Ermanna Rivera vs. United Electric Rys. Co.
Citation: 5 R.I. Dec. 106
Court: Rhode Island Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1929-04-02
Docket Number: No. 69467; No. 69468
Pages: 106–106
Volume: 5
Reporter: Rhode Island Decisions

Parties: Luigi Rivera vs. United Electric Rys. Co. Ermanna Rivera vs. United Electric Rys. Co.

Luigi Rivera vs. United Electric Rys. Co. Ermanna Rivera vs. United Electric Rys. Co.
No. 69467
No. 69468
April 2. 1929.
For plaintiffs: O’Shaunessy & Carr.
For defendant: Earl A. Sweeney, Clifford Whipple.

BLODGETT, P. J.
Heard upon motions of defendant for new trials after verdicts for. plaintiffs in eacli case.
Plaintiff Luigi was driving a Ford car on Broad Street, Providence, northerly with his wife on the seat beside him. Near the intersection of Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue, he passed an electric car of defendant upon its right, and continuing further, with the intention of entering Bridg-ham 'Street from Trinity Square, turned to his left and crossing the car track was struck by the electric car which he had passed going north. He did not look in the direction from which the car was coming as he approached and crossed the track, but testifies he held out his hand as a signal and turned.
Several passengers on the electric car testified as to the position of the Ford car while passing the electric and just before the collision, which testimony, if believed, would show contributory negligence.
The Court is of the opinion that the evidence on the part of defendant’s witnesses preponderates greatly over that of plaintiff.
The wife was a passenger. She sat beside the driver and testifies she saw the electric car coming toward them on the track, as the automobile was about to cross, at a rate of speed, considering the distance at which she places the electric, which the Court can not believe from the testimony. She made no attempt to warn the driver of the Ford.
Motions for new trials granted in each case.