Case Name: AUREND v. SCHROEDER, Admr.
Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1928-02-06
Citations: 6 Ohio Law Abs. 147
Docket Number: No. 1978
Parties: AUREND v. SCHROEDER, Admr.
Judges: (Richards and Williams, JJ., concur.)
Reporter: The Ohio Law Abstract
Volume: 6
Pages: 147–148

Head Matter:
AUREND v. SCHROEDER, Admr.
Ohio Appeals, 6th Dist., Lucas Co.
No. 1978.
Decided Feb. 6, 1928.
Tracy, Chapman &. Welles, Toledo, for Aurend.
Lee H. Schmick, Toledo, for Schroeder.

Opinion:
OPINION OP COURT.
' The following is taken, verbatim, from the opinion.
LLOYD, J.
In our opinion Aurend, as the bailee of the automobile, bore the same relation thereto as if he had been the owner thereof. There is no evidence that he rented the automobile for Kaueher or that he, in any way, surrendered the control thereof incident to such ownership. On the contrary, he invited or permitted his friend to ride with him and to drive the automobile.
This is not a case of a person borrowing an automobile for purposes of his own and thereafter inviting the owner thereof to accompany him as a passenger or guest, nor a case where a member of the owner's family, with permission of the owner, uses the latter's car for his own pleasure or upon his own business,, the owner accompanying him but having no control over the automobile, its operation or use. The mere fact that Aurend could not operate an automobile made it none the less his automobile for the time being. He had the power to direct Kaueher where to go or to stop the car, had he so desired.
If, under the facts in evidence, a person could relieve himself of responsibility for injuries resulting from the negligence of one selected or permitted by him to drive his automobile, then the easiest way for one desiring to enjoy an aimless pleasure ride, to avoid liability for the possible negligent operation of his automobile, would be, always, on such occasions, to permit some person competent to drive it, but financially irresponsible, to operate it for him.
Finding that the trial court did not err in the respect charged, the judgment is affirmed.
(Richards and Williams, JJ., concur.)