Case Name: W. A. FRY, Administrator, v. SOUTHERN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANY and STANDARD ICE AND FUEL COMPANY
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1922-04-05
Citations: 183 N.C. 281
Docket Number: 
Parties: W. A. FRY, Administrator, v. SOUTHERN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANY and STANDARD ICE AND FUEL COMPANY.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 183
Pages: 281–300

Head Matter:
W. A. FRY, Administrator, v. SOUTHERN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANY and STANDARD ICE AND FUEL COMPANY.
(Filed 5 April, 1922.)
1. Negligence — Children—Employer and Employee — Master and Servant —Instructions of Master — Custom—Waiver.
Where there is evidence that the plaintiff’s intestate, a boy under twelve years of age, was killed by the negligence of the defendant’s driver on its ice wagon as the intestate was riding on the rear step thereof, and the defendant has introduced evidence that it had instructed its drivers not to permit children to ride on its wagons, it is competent for the plaintiff to show that the observance of this instruction was not insisted on, and its nonobservance was either known to the defendant or should have been known from its long continued violation, and that therefore the defendant had either acquiesced therein, or had consented to its repeal, or waived obedience to it.
2. Same — Cities and Towns — Ordinances.
Where there is evidence that the plaintiff’s intestate, a boy about twelve years of age, was killed by the negligence of the driver on defendant’s ice wagon, while the intestate was riding on the rear step of the wagon, in attempting to drive across a track in front of a moving street car, and the defendant has introduced an ordinance of the city prohibiting children from riding on wagons of this kind without the consent of the driver, evidence that children were habitually accustomed to ride on these wagons and were encouraged therein by the defendant’s drivers, and that the driver of this particular wagon saw the intestate at the time he was riding thereon, and consented to his riding thereon, is sufficient to show that the intestate was not acting in violation of the ordinance in question.
S. Same.
Where defendant ice company has permitted the custom of children to ride on its wagon in delivering ice to become established in. violation of a city ordinance, it cannot take advantage of its own wrong by setting up the ordinance in defense to an action for the negligent killing of the plaintiff’s intestate, a boy about twelve years of age, upon the ground that the intestate was himself violating the ordinance at the time he was killed.
4. Negligence — Contributory Negligence — Children — Instructions—Appeal and Error.
While a child is not held to the same accountability as one of mature years for contributory negligence, it is held to that degree of care that ordinary prudence would require one having the mental and physical development of the particular child, under the circumstances of the’ injury; and an instruction that a boy, something less than twelve years of age, could not be guilty of contributory negligence, and also omitting the element of proximate cause, or the last clear chance, is reversible error.
5. Negligence — Wantoimess—Contributory Negligence — Defenses.
The doctrine of contributory negligence does not apply when the defendant’s negligence in causing the injury in question is reckless, wanton, and in total disregard of the plaintiff’s rights, and the verdict of the jury upon a trial involving this question may be construed as an affirmative finding when it so appears if viewed in the light of the charge and the evidence in the case.
6. Same — Evidence—Employer and Employee — Master and Servant— Respondeat Superior — Appeal and Error — New Trials.
There was evidence in this case that the driver of the defendant’s ice wagon knew that the plaintiff’s intestate, a boy about twelve years of age, was riding on the rear step of the wagon, contrary to a city ordinance, and that a collision proximately caused the death of the intestate as the driver, at a place forbidden by the city ordinance, attempted to drive diagonally across a street car track in front of a rapidly moving street car, where the situation itself and the time of the act was observably dangerous for such purpose: Held, while the violation of the ordinance is not alone conclusive, it, with the other evidence, is sufficient to sustain a verdict of the jury finding that the negligence of the driver was reckless and wanton, and in utter disregard of the intestate’s rights, for which the defendant is responsible as principal under the doctrine of respondeat superior, if it was the proximate cause of the injury alleged.
Claes, C. J., concurring in new trial.
Appeal by defendant Standard Ice and Fuel Company from Lane, J., at the May Term, 1921, of MeckleNburg.
This action was brought to recover damages for the death of plaintiff’s intestate, alleged to have been caused by the defendant Standard Ice and Fuel Company’s negligence.
On 28 June, 1919, plaintiff’s son and intestate,. Perry Fry, was instantly killed in a collision between an ice wagon of the Standard Ice and Fuel Company and a street car of the Charlotte Street Railway Company, at a point on Tryon Street about fifty feet south of the intersection made by Tryon and Ninth streets in the city of Charlotte. On that day Perry Fry was under 12 years of age, his exact age being 11 years, 10 months, and 23 days.
The railway company was repairing its tracks on North Tryon Street from Seventh to Ninth streets, and had dug up the concrete from be tween tbe rails and placed it in a. pile, about two feet wide at tbe bottom and eighteen inches to two feet in height, at the end of the crossties along the east side of the track, which had so narrowed the driveway on the right or east side of the street that there was room for only one vehicle to travel at a time from Seventh to Ninth Street. This pile of concrete extended from Seventh Street to Ninth Street, with the exception of an open space about thirty feet in length just south of 'and about fifty feet distant from Ninth Street. It was in this open space that the collision occurred.
It was Saturday afternoon, about 4:30 o’clock, and the ice wagon, having completed its work for the day on Seventh Street, came out of Seventh into Tryon and proceeded northward on Tryon on its return to the ice plant, traveling on the east side of the street between the piled-up concrete and the curb-stone of the sidewalk. C. L. Hill, the white man in charge of the wagon, and whose duty it was to ride on the rear step of the .wagon, had abandoned the wagon at Seventh Street, entrusting its safe return to the plant to the negro driver, Will Ferguson, and a half-grown negro helper, Robert Kinston. The latter, who was riding in the front seat with the driver, was so engrossed in eating his delayed mid-day lunch that he had no knowledge of the collision or its attendant circumstances except that the impact thereof threw him out of the wagon.
Somewhere between Seventh Street and the point of collision, a very congested section of the city, Perry Fry, and another small boy of about the same age, got on the rear step of the ice wagon, young Fry riding on that end of the step nearest the car tracks. This step was fourteen inches from the ground. Before reaching the open space the driver heard boys’ voices behind his wagon, and on looking back saw young Fry riding upon the rear step. When the wagon came to the open space in the pile of cement fifty feet south of Ninth Street, the horses, without warning, were driven upon the street car track in a diagonal course toward West Ninth Street, and very near an approaching street car. The front wheels of the ice wagon were upon the car track when the street car, also running north, struck the hub of the left front wheel of the wagon, knocking the front of the wagon away from the tracks and throwing the rear of the wagon in toward the street car. Young Fry was thrown from the rear of the ice wagon under the street car between the trucks, and when the car was stopped within its own length he was lying under the rear trucks of the street car. The left horse was down on the track with its feet in the fender of the car. Young Fry was dead when removed from under the street car.
It had been the custom for many years for little children to ride upon the rear step of defendant’s wagons for the pleasure of the ride as well as to get ice. This custom was known to the defendant, and had been constantly permitted by the drivers of its wagons. There was danger in children thus riding on the wagons of this defendant, which was also known to the defendant.
The city of Charlotte had, before the time of this fatality, adopted the following ordinance, which 'was then in force: “No vehicle shall be turned unless a signal shall previously be given by the whip or hand indicating the direction in which the turn is to be made. The driver of any vehicle, upon a track in front of a street car, shall, upon signal from the driver or motorman of said car, turn to the right of the track. The vehicles moving slowly shall keep as close as possible to the curb on the right of the street, allowing more swiftly moving vehicles free passage to their left. A vehicle overtaking another shall pass on the left side of the overtaken vehicle, and shall not pull over to the right until entirely clear of the vehicle passed. A vehicle, when turning to the left to enter an intersecting street, shall slow down to a speed of five miles per hour, and shall not turn until it shall have passed beyond the center of such intersecting street.”
There was testimony that the defendant had knowledge of this custom of small children riding on its wagons, and also that it had actual knowledge, through its driver, that the small Fry boy was on its wagon some time before the collision occurred which resulted in his death. "Will Ferguson, the driver, testified: “As I was driving down Tryon Street that afternoon, between Eighth and Ninth streets, there was an opening just ahead of the left side where no broken concrete and rock had been piled upon or in the street. I heard a boy’s voice behind my wagon say ‘Come on up,’ ‘Come on up,’ and I looked around through the wagon and saw this little white boy who got killed standing on the rear step.” The driver did not stop to put the boy off, nor did he tell him to get off. He drove his wagon through the open space 50 feet from the street intersection and upon the car track and close to the approaching street car. W. J\ Dellinger testified that when the wagon looked like it was going to cross, “the street car was not far south of that open space, they were right close together.” R. F. Rankin testified: “The street car and the ice wagon were very close together when I noticed the ice wagon,” before the collision. Willie Wilson, who was on the street car, testified that the “car was somewhere about the middle of the block” when the horses started upon the tracks. R. A. Galloway testified that the horses’ heads were about six feet from the open space when the car was about the middle of the block. Neal Elliott, the motorman, testified that the car was only fifteen feet away when the horses started upon the track. M. T. Kelley, Fred Stewart, and W. P. Chambers testified that the street car was twenty feet away when the horses started to cross the track. Not only was tbe wagon driven upon tbe car tracks in close proximity to tbe approaching car, but in turning to cross tbe tracks tbe driver did not bold out bis band or give any signal of bis intention to cross. Neal Elliott, tbe motorman, testified, “Tbe driver did not throw out bis band or warn me.” Ered Stewart, who was standing at tbe corner of Ninth Street in front of tbe wagon and in a position to see tbe actions of tbe driver, testified: “Saw tbe ice wagon and tbe driver when tbe horses started across tbe track. Tbe driver just started across there and tbe street car bit tbe front wheel. Did not see tbe driver throw out bis arm; be did not throw out anything. He did not look.” This witness further testified: “Tbe driver of tbe ice wagon was not paying any attention to anybody or anything. He did not look to tbe side of him, nor behind him, nor do anything except to drive tbe horses across there at a slow trot; be moved across diagonally.”
The driver of the wagon testified that just as be reached this open space an automobile passed on bis right next to tbe curb, and that as a result bis horses shied and thus got upon tbe car tracks. Nowhere do we find in tbe record any evidence which supports tbe testimony of tbe driver in this regard. Tbe eye-witnesses introduced by both tbe plaintiff and tbe defendant, except tbe driver, said tbe horses were driven upon tbe tracks, and that no automobile passed tbe ice wagon at or near tbe time of tbe collision. O. G. Terrell, tbe only eye-witness introduced by tbe defendant, except tbe driver, testified: “Tbe horses were responsive to tbe driver; they moved as if they were being moved by tbe driver.” And again tbe defendant’s same witness testified: “When I saw tbe horses start to turn across tbe track tbe street car was between tbe center of tbe block and Ninth Street. Tbe street car was not ringing any bell, and from that time on tbe horses proceeded diagonally across tbe track in tbe open space and tbe street car came right after them.” .
Nor was there sufficient room between tbe concrete piled up along tbe rails and tbe curb for an automobile to pass tbe ice wagon. W. J. Dellinger testified: “There was plenty of room to go along for one, but I don’t hardly believe there was room for two.” R. F. Rankin testified: “There was only one passway. This obstruction on tbe side of tbe street would not permit but one car to go through there. An automobile could not pass tbe ice wagon as it was going down there.” J. D. Johnson, a police officer, testified: “Two automobiles could not have passed in there from Seventh Street down to Ninth Street with tbe material piled up there to tbe right of tbe rail.”
Tbe evidence in tbe record appears to contradict tbe driver, and shows that no automobile did pass tbe ice wagon. W. J. Dellinger, who was driving in an automobile in tbe same direction with tbe wagon and about a block and a half behind tbe ice wagon, testified: “Saw no auto mobile behind the ice wagon. Could not see the front of ice wagon. There was not any vehicle to the side or behind it from the time I first saw it and the collision occurred. There was not any automobile passed the ice wagon after I-saw it. I did not see an automobile come and go by this ice wagon and cause the horses to shy across the track; none passed the ice wagon. No automobile between me and the ice wagon; nothing but the ice wagon and the street car in front of me.” R. E. Rankin, who was in the automobile with Dellinger, testified: “There whs no car or other vehicle between me and the ice wagon when I saw it. No car passed the ice wagon about the time of the collision or before. I was going down the street behind the street car and the ice wagon. If there had been an automobile between me and the ice wagon I certainly would have seen it.” Even the negro helper, Robert Kinston, riding in the front seat with the driver, saw no automobile pass the ice wagon.
A perusal of the record will tend to show, as the jury evidently found, that Hill, the man in charge of the wagon, had abandoned it at Seventh Street; that the driver drove across the street fifty feet south of the intersection in violation of an ordinance of the city of Charlotte; that in doing so he failed to give any signal or warning of his intention to cross in violation of the ordinance, and that, without looking or listening, and knowing that young Fry was in a position of danger on the back of his wagon, as the evidence tends to show and the jury found, he drove across the street in dangerous proximity to an approaching street car. There was at all events sufficient evidence to carry this question of fact to the jury.
Other material facts will be noticed in the opinion of the Court.
The judge charged the jury, as to the fifth issue, as follows: “If you find ,bv the greater weight of the evidence that the street car in question was being operated at a lawful rate of speed, and that the motorman had given all necessary and proper signals of the approach of the car to the ice wagon in question, and also of his approach to the Ninth Street crossing, notwithstanding which facts, the driver of the ice wagon, after he saw, or by the exercise of ordinary care could have seen, the approach ■of the street car, negligently and recklessly, without signal or warning of any kind, and without looking or listening, drove his wagon upon, or dangerously near, the said street car track in such close proximity to the approaching street car as to render it impossible for the motorman in charge of said ear to avoid a collision with the wagon, either by slackening the speed of his car or stopping the same, after he saw a collision was imminent, and that the driver knew the perilous situation of the ice wagon, then the court charges you that the driver of the ice wagon would be guilty of willful negligence, and if you find such negligence was the proximate cause of the intestate’s death, then you will answer the third issue 'Yes.’ ” And the judge further charged the jury, on the fourth issue, as follows: “If the jury find by the greater weight of the evidence that with knowledge of the fact that the boy was riding on the rear step of the ice wagon, said driver willfully and wantonly drove his wagon across the said car track, without either looking or listening for the approach of a car or giving any signal or warning of his intention to drive the wagon on or across the track, and shall further find by the greater weight of the evidence that the motorman in charge of said street ear saw, or by the exercise of ordinary care could have seen, this boy on the rear steps of the ice wagon, if you find he was there, notwithstanding which he willfully operated said car at a speed between 20 and 30 miles an hour between Eighth and Ninth streets, in violation of the ordinance of the city of Charlotte, and that the aforesaid willful and negligent acts of the motorman and driver of the car and wagon were the sole and only concurring proximate causes of the plaintiff’s intestate’s death, then you will answer the fourth issue 'No,’ independently of whether the plaintiff’s intestate was a trespasser upon the ice wagon at the time of the collision or not.”
The jury returned the following verdict:
“1. Was the plaintiff’s intestate killed by the: joint and concurrent negligence of the defendant, as alleged in the complaint? Answer: No.’
“2. If not, was the plaintiff’s intestate killed by the negligence of the defendant Southern Public Utilities Company, as alleged in the complaint? Answer: No.’
“3. If not, was the plaintiff’s intestate killed by the negligence of the defendant Standard Ice and Fuel Company, as alleged in the complaint? Answer:'Yes.’
“4. Did the plaintiff’s intestate, by his own negligence, contribute to his death? Answer: No.’
“5. What damages, if any, is the plaintiff entitled to recover? Answer : '$5,000.’- ”
Judgment on the verdict, and defendant Standard Ice and Fuel Company appealed.
JE. T. Qánsler and D. B. Smith for plaintiff.
James A. Bell and Edgar W. Pharr for defenclant Standard Ice and Fuel Company.

Opinion:
Walker, J.,
after stating the case: If the first assignment of error is sufficiently stated under our rules, we are of the opinion that it is without any substantial merit. It -was competent' to prove the custom of small boys to jump upon the rear step of the wagon to ride and get bits of ice for several reasons, and, among them, to answer the contention of defendant that instructions had been given to the drivers not to permit riding on the wagon by small boys. If such order was given, the plaintiff surely was entitled to show that it had been constantly violated for a long time, with the knowledge of the drivers and those in charge of the wagon, from which the jury could well infer that the owner of the wagon had notice of its nonobservance, and that it was an order of the company more honored in the breach than in the observance, and, in legal contemplation, it had been abrogated, or at least waived. Biles v. R. R., 139 N. C., 528; Haynes v. R. R., 143 N. C., 154; Smith v. R. R., 147 N. C., 603; Bordeaux v. R. R., 150 N. C., 528; Railway Co. v. Mobley, 6 Ga. App., 33; P. L. Co. v. Whitzel, 118 Va., 161; Robinson v. R. R., 71 W. Va., 423; Railroad Co. v. Reager, 96 Tenn., 128. It has been held generally that if a rule is made for the safety of the servant or others, but its customary violation has continued so long that the master either knew .of it, or could by the exercise of ordinary care have found it out and acquiesced in it, he is presumed to have consented to its repeal, or to have waived obedience to it. Smith v. R. R., supra; Biles v. R. R., 143 N. C., 78. But so far as the rule, or order to the drivers, in this case is concerned, it does not appear to have been observed at all, and boys were allowed to ride on the rear step of the wagon at their pleasure, even when the manager of it, who had left on this occasion, was there. All this evidence, and more, is sufficient to show, at least, the tacit consent of the driver and manager to such a course of conduct by them, and the jury have doubtless so found. If this be so, and it can hardly be disputed, the act of this young boy was not within the prohibition of the city ordinance forbidding it only when it is without the consent of the driver, or person controlling its movements and management. As this is a question of capital importance in the decision of the case, we will refer to some of the evidence bearing upon it: For many years it had been the habit and custom for small children to get upon and ride upon the rear of defendant's ice wagons, both for the pleasure of riding and for the purpose of getting small pieces of broken ice. In doing so they rode from door to door, and frequently for considerable distances out of the neighborhood in which they lived. So general had been this practice and so long continued that one witness, in referring to it, said: "It has always been." This custom was known to the officers and agents of the defendant company, or by the exercise of ordinary care they should have known it, and in legal contemplation the defendant did know of this custom. But aside from this legal presumption, actual knowledge of this custom, it seems, was brought home to tbe defendant, its officers and agents. 0. L. Hill, tbe man in charge of tbis particular wagon, testified: "Little fellows, six years old up. to eleven and twelve, bad tbis babit of getting on tbe wagon." J. A. Eagle, assistant manager of tbe defendant company, in testifying with regard to tbis custom, said be bad observed it "ever since be bad been in tbe ice business." C. E. Moore, manager of tbe defendant company, said be knew of tbe existence of tbe custom "in a limited way." More than that, tbe defendant's driver knew of tbe custom, permitted it to grow up, and even encouraged it, offering tbe inducement of cool rides and bits of cracked ice. But tbe defendant contends that tbe admission of tbe evidence as to tbis custom was error, upon tbe general ground that it was an illegal custom and that it grew up in violation of an ordinance of tbe city of Charlotte, which declares "that no one shall ride or jump onto any vehicle without tbe consent of tbe driver thereof; and no person, when riding, shall allow any part of bis body to protrude beyond tbe limits óf tbe vehicle, nor shall any person bang on to any vehicle whatsoever." If that position were sound, then any defendant could escape tbe consequences of bis wrongful act by tbe mere device of alleging and proving that bis conduct bad been unlawful. But even if tbe position of tbe defendant be a correct one, then it is equally true, as tbe record clearly shows, that tbis custom bad grown up with tbe consent of tbe drivers of tbe defendant's wagons; and, therefore, it was not forbidden by tbe ordinance. In Ferrell v. Cotton Mills, 157 N. C., 528, and many other cases to like effect, evidence was admitted to show tbe custom or babit of small children to play upon premises where they were technical trespassers. If in those cases evidence was competent which proved a custom, in violation of tbe laws against trespass, then certainly in tbis ease evidence of a custom in violation of an ordinance of tbe city of Charlotte was competent. Having permitted tbis custom to grow up, tbis defendant cannot take shelter behind bis own wrong. "A babit of doing a thing is naturally of probative value as indicating that on a particular occasion a thing was done as usual; and, if clearly shown as a definite course of action, is constantly admitted in evidence." 1 Greenleaf's Ev. (16 ed.), see. 14 J.
Leaving tbis subject, we come to tbe next material question in tbe case. Having concluded there was evidence that young Ery did not violate tbe ordinance, or that there was evidence that be did not, and tbe jury so found, was be guilty of contributory negligence? We take tbis matter up now before considering tbe issue as to defendant's negligence, as it is more nearly related to, and connected with, tbe one just before discussed. Tbe jury found that be was not guilty of any negligence himself which contributed to bis injury and death, but tbe defendant contends that tbis answer of tbe jury was induced by an error of tbe judge in bis charge to them, wbicb they say is that "as young Fry was under twelve years of age, be could not be guilty of negligence." He was one month and seven days under twelve. Tbis, we think, was error. Tbe error consisted in charging tbe jury that tbe boy being under twelve years of age was incapable of committing tbe alleged negligent act wbicb it is claimed contributed to bis injury. Tbe responsibility of an infant for contributory negligence is not necessarily a question of law and some expressions in our reports apparently to tbe contrary are misleading and contrary to tbe accepted and approved principle wbicb governs in such cases. Tbe question was so fully discussed, with a copious citation of tbe well considered cases in Alexander v. Statesville, 165 N. C., 527, that much further comment would seem to be useless. It was there held, as stated in tbe seventh headnote, that while a child of tender years is not held to tbe same degree of care as one of mature years in avoiding an injury arising from tbe negligent act of another, it is ordinarily a question of fact for tbe jury to determine, in bis action to recover damages therefor, whether, under tbe circumstances, and considering bis age and capacity, be should have avoided tbe injury complained of by tbe exercise of ordinary care; and in that case it appearing that tbe plaintiff was a bright boy of about 7 years of age, it was held that tbe court properly left tbe issue of contributory negligence to tbe jury. ¥e cannot approve all that was said, with respect to tbis question, in Baker v. R. R., 150 N. C., 562, and Foard v. Power Co., 170 N. C., 48, though expressions will be found therein which seem to agree with tbe view herein stated. In Alexander v. Statesville, supra, we followed tbe rule as adopted by tbe Supreme Court of tbe United States in Railroad Co. v. Gladmon, 15 Wallace (U. S.), 401 (21 L. Ed., 114), and Railroad Co. v. Stout, 17 Wallace (U. S.), 657 (21 L. Ed., 745). Gladmon's case has been followed by this Court in Manly v. R. R., 74 N. C., 655; Murray v. R. R., 93 N. C., 92; Bottoms v. R. R., 114 N. C., 699. In Bottoms' case tbe Court refers to Gladmon's case and Robinson v. Cone, 22 Vt., 213, as stating tbe correct rule, and takes tbis passage from tbe Bobinson case: "All," says Judge Bedfield, in delivering tbe opinion, "that is required of an infant plaintiff in such a case (where a child was injured in a highway) being that be exercise care and prudence equal to bis capacity." Tbe passage which we have taken from Gladmon's case was quoted by Chief Justice Smith, with full approval, in Murray v. R. R., supra, as containing a correct statement of tbe rule applicable in such eases. Numerous other cases are cited in Alexander v. Statesville, supra, at p. 536 of 165 N. C. It was held in Westerfield v. Levis, 43 La. Ann., 63 (cited in tbe Alexander case), that the rule wbicb exempts a child of tender years from responsibility, while it may not operate justly in every possible case, on the whole promotes the ends of justice, and the Court followed the authorities which held that a child of the age of appellant is prima facie exempt from responsibility, but also held that testimony is admissible to show the contrary, citing many authorities. We said in the Alexander cáse that upon the question of plaintiff's contributory negligence, the judge properly confined his charge to the second issue, which separately and independently involved an inquiry into that matter, as to the plaintiff's age and his incapacity arising out of his tender years, and it may be said that the question of contributory negligence on his part is not to be determined alone by the fact of his youth, except in extreme cases; but other considerations enter into the question, as, for instance, his degree of capacity or intelligence. Some boys are brighter, smarter, more precocious, and more capable than others who are much older, and better able to take care of themselves. The youth of the person must be considered, of course, but, with the qualifications already made, it is not the only test, and the presumption of incapacity to protect himself is not always a conclusive one. In Rolin v. Tobacco Co., 141 N. C., 300, this Court said: "It is hardly necessary to add that contributory negligence, on the part of the minor, is to be measured by his age and his ability to discern and appreciate the circumstances of danger. He is not chargeable with the same degree of care as an experienced adult, but is only required to exercise such prudence as one of his years may be expected to possess. As the standard of care thus varies with the age, capacity, and experience of the child, it is usually, if not always, when the child is not wholly irresponsible, a question of fact for the jury whether a child exercised the ordinary care and prudence of a child similarly situated; and if such care was exercised, a recovery can be had for an injury negligently inflicted, no matter how far the care used by the child falls short of the standard which the law exacts for determining what is ordinary care in a person of full age and capacity," citing Am. C. and F. Co. v. Armentrodt, 214 Ill., 509; Plumly v. Birge, 124 Mass., 57; 7 A. & E., 409. Labatt on Master and Servant (Ed. 1904), sec. 348, says that the essential and controlling conception by which a minor's right of action is determined with reference to the existence or absence of contributory fault is that his capacity is the measure of his responsibility. If he has not the ability to foresee and avoid the danger to which he may be exposed, negligence will not be imputed to him if he unwittingly exposes himself to that danger. For the exercise of such measure of capacity and discretion as he possesses, he is responsible. And quoting from Gladmon's case, supra, this Court further says: "The rule of law in regard to the negligence of an adult and the rule in regard to that of an infant of tender years is quite differ ent. By tbe adult there must be given that care and attention for bis own protection tbat is ordinarily exercised by persons of intelligence and discretion. If be fails to give it, bis injury is tbe result of bis own folly, and cannot be visited upon another. Of an infant of tender years less discretion is required, and tbe degree depends upon bis age and knowledge. Of a child of 3 years of age less caution would be required than one of 7; and of a child of 7, less than one of 12 or 15. Tbe caution required is according to tbe maturity and capacity of tbe child, and this is to be determined in each case by tbe circumstances of tbat case."
But if it be admitted tbat tbe boy was guilty of contributory negligence, tbe question whether it was tbe proximate cause of bis death remains to be determined by tbe jury, under proper instructions from tbe court. "Where defendant, by exercising due care, can avoid tbe consequences of plaintiff's negligence, or be can discover plaintiff's peril in time to avoid injuring him, be is liable on bis failure so to do." Cullifer v. R. R., 168 N. C., 309. "Tbe doctrine of tbe last clear chance applies where tbe defendant, after be discovers plaintiff's peril, or in tbe exercise of ordinary care should have discovered it, negligently fails to avoid tbe accident." N. S. R. Co. v. White's Admr., 84 S. E., 646. Tbe jury have found, with evidence to warrant tbe finding, tbat tbe driver knew tbe boy was on tbe rear step of tbe wagon, and bad given him permission to ride there, and that, notwithstanding this knowledge, he drove onto tbe track, in front of tbe fast approaching street car, and bis wagon was struck by tbe same, and this caused tbe intestate's injury and death. Tbe driver of tbe defendant testified tbat some one drove an automobile between him and tbe curb of tbe sidewalk, which frightened bis horses and caused them to turn and drag bis wagon onto tbe track, but there was evidence to tbe contrary, and especially by a witness, who was riding in bis automobile and a little behind tbe ice wagon, and who stated tbat be was in full, view, and 'that no such thing occurred, and the jury, under tbe evidence and tbe instructions of tbe court, not only found tbat tbe driver's testimony was not true, but tbat, on tbe contrary, be drove both "negligently" and "recklessly" upon tbe track. This appears from tbe instruction of tbe court on tbe third issue, as set forth in our statement of tbe case and tbe verdict. He also drove on tbe track "willfully and wantonly," as appears from tbe instruction of tbe court upon tbe fourth issue. There was evidence tbat tbe wagon was driven upon tbe track in violation of a city ordinance, which provided tbat tbe driver, in order to cross over to tbe other side of tbe street, should make bis turn at tbe intersection of Tryon and Ninth streets, or if be intended to go as far north as Tenth Street, then at tbe intersection of Tryon with Tenth Street, and that, by the ordinance, he should have turned in on the north side of Ninth Street, or of Tenth Street, depending upon where he expected to make the crossing. The plaintiff contends, therefore, that he was acting, not only negligently, recklessly, willfully, and wantonly, but criminally, as he was violating the ordinance. We must construe the verdict always in the light of the evidence and the charge of the court, and especially as resolving all inferences in favor of the successful party. Aldrich v. Railway Co., 79 S. E., 316. We have held repeatedly that the verdict must be interpreted "and allowed significance" by reference to the pleadings, testimony, and the charge of the court. Owens v. Ins. Co., 173 N. C., 373; Taylor v. Stewart, 175 N. C., 199; Bank v. Wysong, 177 N. C., 284. If we follow these decisions and interpret this verdict by proper reference to the pleadings, evidence, and charge, there can be no doubt as to what was the conclusion of the jury, which is that the driver of the wagon, regardless of any contributory negligence of the boy, acted not only negligently when he had the chance to save him, but willfully, recklessly, and wantonly, and against such conduct as this finding implies, the contributory negligence of the boy is no protection or bar to the plaintiff's recovery. If the party injured is himself ever so negligent, the one who caused that injury is liable to him for the ensuing damages, if he was aware of the dangerous situation and caused the damage willfully, wantonly, or even recklessly, that is, if he did so without regard to the consequences of his act and being indifferent to the rights of others. It is said in a standard treatise: "The doctrine that contributory negligence will defeat recovery has no application where the injury is the result o.f the willful, wanton, and reckless conduct of defendant. . In order that one may be held guilty of willful or wanton conduct, it must be shown that he was conscious of the surroundings, and was aware, from his knowledge of existing conditions, that injury would probably result from his conduct, under the circumstances, and, with reckless indifference to consequences, he consciously and intentionally did some wrongful act or omitted some known duty which produced the injurious result." 29 Cyc., 509-510. And in Brendle v. Spencer, 125 N. C., 474, this Court held: "It is settled that contributory negligence, even if admitted, is no defense to willful or wanton injury. The finding of such injury by the jury eliminates all question of negligence on both sides. The defendant company is responsible for the willful and wanton injury occasioned by. its employee while on duty in its service."
We do not mean to say that the driver's act in crossing at the wrong place, contrary to the ordinance, if he did so, would of itself constitute willfulness, but it may be considered as .one of the facts or circumstances in evidence tending to show that his act was willful, as being entirely regardless of tbe law and tbe safety of others. We have held that where a statute or an ordinance is violated it is such a distinct legal wrong that if it be the proximate cause of the injury to another, it will then constitute an actionable wrong or tort, but the jury must find the facts essential to .the application of this principle. Stone v. Texas Co., 180 N. C., 546, where the matter is fully discussed.
We finally conclude that there was some evidence from which the jury could find that the driver of the wagon was guilty of culpable negligence, or a distinct legal wrong, as hereinbefore defined by us, and the defendant itself may, therefore, be liable to the plaintiff upon the principle of respondeat superior, the driver being its servant and his illegal acts being imputable to the defendant. If knowing that the boy was on the wagon, and he was there by the driver's consent, or permission, the defendant would have to answer for his negligence if he exposed the boy to impending danger in crossing the track too near to the approaching street car, and especially so if the act of crossing the track under the circumstances was forbidden by the ordinance, and was the proximate cause of the injury to the boy which caused his death.
This Court will not undertake to decide the case upon the evidence, but will leave its weight and sufficiency to the jury. It may be that the defendant's construction of the evidence is the correct one, and that the plaintiff's is not. The Court must not be understood as intimating any opinion at all upon the weight of the evidence, or any of it, but as leaving its sufficiency to establish the contention of the plaintiff, or that of the defendant, entirely to the jury, with proper directions from the court.
The error of the judge as to the contributory negligence of the boy is of sufficient importance to have been prejudicial to the defendant, and because of it a new .trial must be had in order that the case may be submitted again to the jury under proper instructions.
New trial.