Case Name: Anna McCauley, as Executrix of Roderick McCauley, Respondent, v. State of New York, Appellant; Gordon Deshaw, as Administrator of the Estate of Wanda Deshaw, Deceased, Respondent, v. State of New York, Appellant; Henry S. Salamy et al., as Administrators of the Estate of Joseph H. Salamy, Deceased, Respondents, v. State of New York, Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1960-07-08
Citations: 8 N.Y.2d 938
Docket Number: Claim No. 32614; Claim No. 32615; Claim No. 32628
Parties: Anna McCauley, as Executrix of Roderick McCauley, Respondent, v. State of New York, Appellant. Gordon Deshaw, as Administrator of the Estate of Wanda Deshaw, Deceased, Respondent, v. State of New York, Appellant. Henry S. Salamy et al., as Administrators of the Estate of Joseph H. Salamy, Deceased, Respondents, v. State of New York, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 8
Pages: 938–944

Head Matter:
Anna McCauley, as Executrix of Roderick McCauley, Respondent, v. State of New York, Appellant. Gordon Deshaw, as Administrator of the Estate of Wanda Deshaw, Deceased, Respondent, v. State of New York, Appellant. Henry S. Salamy et al., as Administrators of the Estate of Joseph H. Salamy, Deceased, Respondents, v. State of New York, Appellant.
(Claim No. 32614.)
(Claim No. 32615.)
(Claim No. 32628.)
Argued May 27, 1960;
decided July 8, 1960.
Louis J. Lefkcowitz, Attorney-General (Paxton Blair of counsel), for appellant.
F. Walter Bliss, Adam B. Palmer, Hayward H. Plumadore and Perrin & Daniels for respondents.

Opinion:
In each action: Judgment reversed, with costs in this court and in the Appellate Division, and the judgment of the Court of Claims reinstated. On this record, we are satisfied that a preponderance of the credible evidence favors the determination made in the Court of Claims. So viewed, it cannot reasonably be said in light of all the surrounding circumstances, including the weather and road conditions and the driver's conduct, that the fatal happening was due to any neglect, failure or omission of the State to perform a duty owed.
Concur: Judges Dye, Fuld, Froessel and Van Voorhis. Chief Judge Desmond dissents in the following opinion in which Judges Burke and Foster concur.