Case Name: Victor L. ENGLAND and Frances England, Husband and Wife, Appellants (Plaintiffs), v. Phil O. SIMMONS and Kissack Water and Oil Service, Inc., Appellees (Defendants), Michael E. Barnes and Apollo Drilling Company, (Defendants)
Court: Supreme Court of Wyoming
Jurisdiction: Wyoming
Decision Date: 1986-12-01
Citations: 728 P.2d 1137
Docket Number: No. 86-74
Parties: Victor L. ENGLAND and Frances England, Husband and Wife, Appellants (Plaintiffs), v. Phil O. SIMMONS and Kissack Water and Oil Service, Inc., Appellees (Defendants), Michael E. Barnes and Apollo Drilling Company, (Defendants).
Judges: Before THOMAS, C.J., and BROWN, CARDINE, URBIGKIT, and MACY, JJ.
Reporter: Pacific Reporter 2d
Volume: 728
Pages: 1137–1153

Head Matter:
Victor L. ENGLAND and Frances England, Husband and Wife, Appellants (Plaintiffs), v. Phil O. SIMMONS and Kissack Water and Oil Service, Inc., Appellees (Defendants), Michael E. Barnes and Apollo Drilling Company, (Defendants).
No. 86-74.
Supreme Court of Wyoming.
Dec. 1, 1986.
Rehearing Denied Dec. 22, 1986.
William D. Omohundro and Randall T. Cox, of Omohundro and Palmerlee, Buffalo, for appellants.
J. Scott Burnworth of Schwartz, Bon, McCrary & Walker, Casper, for appellees.
Before THOMAS, C.J., and BROWN, CARDINE, URBIGKIT, and MACY, JJ.

Opinion:
BROWN, Justice.
Appellants Victor L. England, and Frances England, his spouse, filed a complaint alleging negligence and/or willful and wanton conduct on the part of Phil 0. Simmons, Kissack Water and Oil Service, Inc., Michael E. Barnes and Apollo Drilling Company after Victor England was injured in an automobile collision. On July 3, 1985, the district court denied appellants' motion to amend their complaint in order to join additional parties. Subsequently, on October 1, 1985, the district court entered a summary judgment in favor of appellees, determining that no genuine issue as to any material fact existed. On appeal two issues are raised:
1. Did the district court abuse its discretion by refusing leave to appellants to amend their complaint and thereby add other individuals as defendants?
2. Did the district court abuse its discretion in determining that no genuine issue of material fact existed concerning appel-lees' negligent and/or willful and wanton conduct and in entering summary judgment in favor of appellees?
We will affirm.
On September 26, 1983, Phil Simmons was driving east on Iberlin Road, a gravel road in Campbell County, in a 25-ton water truck owned by Kissack Water and Oil Service, Inc. A southerly wind that day caused a dust cloud to trail Simmons' vehicle. The cloud covered the lane of traffic to the rear and immediate left of an eastward-bound truck for a period of time. Michael Barnes, an employee of Apollo Drilling Company, entered the Iberlin Road behind Simmons' truck. He was driving a crew cab pickup and followed behind Simmons. Meanwhile, Victor England drove his pickup truck with his co-worker Anthony Bentley in the opposite direction toward Simmons and Barnes.
The Barnes' vehicle attempted to pass Simmons, entering the dust cloud into the passing or lefthand lane and collided with the England vehicle. Both vehicles were substantially destroyed, and several persons were injured.
The only dispute concerns what part the Simmons' truck played in the accident. Appellants contend that Simmons waited until he was very near England to flash his brake lights and pull to the righthand side of his lane — giving Barnes the "do pass signal" — and thereby negligently and/or willfully and wantonly caused the accident. Appellants joined Simmons' employer, Kis-sack Water and Oil Service, Inc., via use of a respondeat superior theory. Conversely, appellees state that immediately before the England truck came even with the front of the water truck in which Simmons was driving, Simmons looked in his right rear-view mirror and realized that Barnes was no longer behind him. Only after realizing that Barnes was trying to pass him with an oncoming vehicle approaching did Simmons hit his brakes and pull to the right edge of the road in an attempt to prevent an accident.
I
Appellants maintain that the district court abused its discretion by refusing to permit joinder of other individuals as defendants in this case. On June 24, 1985, appellants sought to amend their complaint to add the individual officers of Kissack Water and Oil Service, Inc., one of the then existing parties, as defendants. However, October 24, 1985, the district court denied that motion giving no authority or reasoning for doing so.
In determining whether a joinder of parties should be allowed, the rule provides:
"(a) All persons may be joined in one (1) action as defendants if there is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative, any right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action.
"(b) The court may make such orders as will prevent a party from being embarrassed, delayed, or put to expense by the inclusion of a party against whom he asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against him, and may order separate trials or make other orders to prevent delay or prejudice." Rule 20, Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.
Rule 20, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which is identical to Wyoming's rule, is explained in 1 Wright, Miller & Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure: Civil 2d § 1653 and 1660. It is stated at § 1653, p. 382:
"Instead of developing one generalized test for ascertaining whether or not a particular factual situation constitutes a single transaction or occurrence for purposes of Rule 20, the courts seem to have adopted a case by case approach. As stated by one district court judge:
"there can be no hard and fast rule, and that the approach must be a general one of whether there are enough ultimate factual concurrences that it would be fair to the parties to require them to defend jointly [the several claims] against them
And at § 1660, pp. 436-438:
"The general philosophy of the joinder provisions of the federal rules is to allow virtually unlimited joinder at the pleading stage but to give the district court discretion to shape the trial to the necessities of the particular case. Rule 20(b) furthers this policy by giving the court authority to order separate trials or make any other order to prevent a party from being embarrassed, delayed, prejudiced, or put to unnecessary expense by joinder of a party .
"In addition to safeguarding the interests of the parties, the provision furthers trial convenience by granting the court discretion to sever multiple issues that technically may be joined in one action under liberalized joinder rules but that could be determined more conveniently and expeditiously in separate trials. The district court's decision on the issue of separate trials will not be disturbed on appeal except in the rare case when a clear abuse of discretion can be shown." (Emphasis added.)
See also, State, by and through Christopulos v. Husky Oil Company of Delaware, Wyo., 575 P.2d 262 (1978).
This court has defined abuse of discretion numerous times. Recently, we said:
" 'A court does not abuse its discretion unless it acts in a manner which exceeds the bounds of reason under the circumstances. In determining whether there has been an abuse of discretion, the ultimate issue is whether or not the court could reasonably conclude as it did. ' Martinez v. State, Wyo., 611 P.2d 831, 838 (1980).
*
"Judicial discretion is a composite of many things, among which are conclusions drawn from objective criteria; it means a sound judgment exercised with regard to what is right under the circumstances and without doing so arbitrarily or capriciously. Byerly v. Madsen, 41 Wash.App. 495, 704 P.2d 1236 (1985). *
" Each case must be determined on its peculiar facts. " Martin v. State, Wyo., 720 P.2d 894, 896-897 (1986).
Here, appellants contend that the only plausible explanation for denial of the motion to join additional parties was to prevent delay in trial. The order denying join-der states no rationale or basis for denial.
"Our consideration is limited to a determination, of whether the trial court was clearly wrong in denying this motion, Turnbough v. Campbell County Memorial Hospital [Wyo., 499 P.2d 595, 597 (1972) ]; and we cannot consider the contentions asserted by appellant in attacking the judgment, Brennan v. Midwestern United Life Insurance Company, 7 Cir., 450 F.2d 999, 13 A.L.R.F. 243 [1971], certiorari denied 405 U.S. 921, 92 S.Ct. 957, 30 L.Ed.2d 792 [1972]." Martellaro v. Sailors, Wyo., 515 P.2d 974, 976 (1973).
It should be noted that Rule 20, W.R.C.P., is entitled 'permissive joinder." (Emphasis added.) Under our statutes relating to joinder, the trial court is entitled to exercise considerable discretion in determining who should be joined or retained. Casper National Bank v. Jones, 79 Wyo. 38, 329 P.2d 1077 (1958).
After careful review of the record, we conclude that any one of the reasons under Rule 20(b), W.R.C.P., may be a plausible reason for denial of joinder. Conjecture by this court as to the specific ground for denial is not required. After applying the current definition of abuse of discretion and its standard of review, we give due deference to the district court judge and his denial of joinder of the parties.
II
Appellants contend that the district court erred in determining that no genuine issue of material fact existed concerning appel-lees' negligence and/or willful and wanton conduct in entering its summary judgment in favor of appellees. Further, they argue that whether or not appellees proximately caused the collision is a question solely for jury consideration. Therefore, appellants propose that the district court erred as a matter of law.
According to Rule 56(c), W.R.C.P., a summary judgment
" shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. "
The purpose of summary judgment is to eliminate formal trials where only questions of law are involved, Johnson v. Soulis, Wyo., 542 P.2d 867 (1975), and to pierce the formal allegations and reach the merits of a controversy where no material issue of fact is present. Siebert v. Fowler, Wyo., 637 P.2d 255 (1981). Where there are genuine issues of material fact, summary judgment is improper, but the purpose behind summary judgment would be defeated if a case could be forced to trial merely by asserting that a genuine issue of material fact exists. Duffy v. Brown, Wyo., 708 P.2d 433 (1985); and Johnson v. Soulis, supra.
Garner v. Hickman, Wyo., 709 P.2d 407, 410 (1985), states our applicable standard of review:
"When reviewing a summary judgment on appeal, we review the judgment in the same light as the district court, using the same information. Randolph v. Gilpatrick Construction Company, Inc., Wyo., 702 P.2d 142 (1985); and Lane Company v. Busch Development, Inc., Wyo., 662 P.2d 419 (1983). A party moving for summary judgment has the burden of proving the nonexistence of a genuine issue of material fact. Dudley v. East Ridge Development Company, Wyo., 694 P.2d 113 (1985). Material fact has been defined as one which, if proved, would have the effect of establishing or refuting an essential element of the cause of action or defense asserted by the parties. Samuel Mares Post No. 8, American Legion, Department of Wyoming v. Board of County Commissioners of the County of Converse, Wyo., 697 P.2d 1040 (1985). Upon examination of a summary judgment, we view the record from the vantage point most favorable to the party opposing the motion, giving him all favorable inferences which may be drawn from the facts. Bancroft v. Jagusch, Wyo., 611 P.2d 819 (1980)."
See, Ward v. First Interstate Bank of Riverton, Wyo., 718 P.2d 886 (1986); and Toltec Watershed Improvement District v. Johnston, Wyo., 717 P.2d 808 (1986).
Appellants argue that questions of material fact exist as to determining the negligence and/or willful and wanton conduct on the part of appellees. However, the material appellants rely on points to no such genuine issue as we apply our applicable standard of review.
As stated in Beard v. Brown, Wyo., 616 P.2d 726, 734 (1980):
"Negligence consists of (1) a duty, (2) a violation of the duty, (3) proximately causing, (4) the injury. Danculovich v. Brown, Wyo.1979, 593 P.2d 187. The duty referred to is a 'legal' duty, the definition of which is for the court as a matter of law. Lemley v. United States, D.C.N.D.W.Va.1970, 317 P.Supp. 350, aff'd. 4th Cir.1971, 455 F.2d 522; Guinand v. Atlantic Richfield Co., 10th Cir. 1973, 485 F.2d 414; Maxted v. Pacific Car & Foundry Co., Wyo.1974, 527 P.2d 832. A legal duty is an obligation, the performance of which is required by law. Cleveland, C., C. & St. L. Ry. Co. v. Ballentine, 7th Cir.1898, 84 F. 935; Prosser, Torts, 4th ed., p. 206 (1971)."
One authority has stated the following regarding the duty owed by a leading vehicle to the driver of a following vehicle:
"Except as may be provided by statute, the driver of a leading vehicle owes no duty to to use the road in the usual way in keeping with the laws of the road. "When one knows of the approach of a following vehicle, there is the duty of ordinary care for the approaching driver's safety." Blashfield, Automobile Law and Practice § 113.3, p. 668 (1979).
Section 31-5-203(a)(ii), W.S.1977 (Nov. 1984 Replacement), provides, "Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle." The record clearly shows that no audible signal was given and that Simmons was either decelerating or stopped at the time of the accident. Therefore, it seems Simmons was entitled to drive on the Iber- lin Road and was under no legal duty to stop and allow Barnes to pass.
Furthermore, as indicated by the record, Simmons had no hint that Barnes was going to attempt to pass him until just immediately before the accident occurred; and he was under no duty to anticipate Barnes' negligent attempt to pass his vehicle. The driver of the leading vehicle is entitled to assume the driver of an overtaking vehicle will observe traffic regulations and exercise due care in attempting to pass another vehicle. Blashfield, Automobile Law and Practice § 113.22. Moreover, a driver of a vehicle is not bound to anticipate the negligence of another driver. Brockett v. Prater, Wyo., 675 P.2d 638 (1984).
Appellants contend that Simmons negligently signaled Barnes that it was safe to pass. Simmons states that he did not hit his brakes or pull to the ri ght until after he saw that Barnes was no longer behind him. In any event, it makes little difference, in that,
"[t]he driver of the overtaking vehicle should be able to see a sufficient distance ahead on the left side of the roadway as to prevent running into an object on that side of the road. Before the driver of a vehicle turns to the left to pass another vehicle going in the same direction, such driver owes the duty to observe whether there is any oncoming traffic which in the circumstances might constitute a possible danger." Blash-field, Automobile Law and Practice § 112.8, p. 624 (1979).
Furthermore, § 31-5-204, W.S.1977 (Nov. 1984 Replacement), states:
"No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred (200) feet of any approaching vehicle."
The sole duty of ensuring that the passing lane was clear from oncoming traffic was upon Barnes, the driver of the passing vehicle. Simmons was under no such legal duty.
Appellants also argue that Simmons was negligent in causing the dust cloud which impeded Barnes' view in the passing lane. As pointed out in Beard v. Brown, supra, no duty arises which obligates one to keep a dirt road dust free. One simply cannot logically assume that duty. Common sense must be used.
The only way anyone could keep the road dust free would be to pave it. Even then, in a hot and windy locale, dust could be blown across the road in considerable volume. The requirement of keeping a dirt road free of dust is almost impossible.
Any person who drives on a dirt road is aware that a dust cloud might arise. As pointed out previously, if a person desires to pass another through a dust cloud it is his sole duty to ensure that the passing lane is clear before passing. We hold that a vehicle is not under a duty to drive on a dirt road without creating dust or to stop each time a vehicle approaches to allow his dust cloud to dissipate. This obviously would bring traffic to a standstill.
In summarizing the record, taking into account all that which was before the district court, we find that appellee Simmons was driving within the speed limit, in his own lane of traffic, and in control of his vehicle while on a public road. The actions of Simmons while driving the Kissack water truck at the time of the accident violated no duty owed to plaintiff-appellants.
Therefore, under the applicable summary judgment review, we find that no genuine issue as to any material fact exists. Simmons did not act negligently, was not the cause in fact of the accident, nor was he in any way the proximate cause of the accident. Clearly, there is no need to overburden the issue of wanton and willful conduct on the part of Simmons.
Giving the district court decision the due deference that is prescribed by law, the judgment is affirmed.
Affirmed.
. Michael E. Barnes and Apollo Drilling Company were dismissed with prejudice on February 4, 1986, pursuant to a stipulation and order by the district court.
. Simmons may have slowly decelerated and moved slightly to the right in order to accommodate the oncoming vehicle out of common roadside courtesy.