Opinion ID: 1689201
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Affirmative Acts of Concealment

Text: ¶ 21. Robinson and Johnson must show that Cobb committed affirmative acts of concealment in order to cover up the wrongful death claim. The record shows that rumors were circulating immediately after the accident that the Tigue vehicle was involved in a high speed chase with another unknown vehicle. Some of those rumors indicated that Cobb was driving the chase vehicle. However, the MHP, for whatever reason, failed to substantiate these rumors and, as a result, never filed criminal charges. ¶ 22. Approximately two weeks after the accident, Robinson and Johnson hired private investigator Fulcher to aid them in the investigation of the fatal wreck. The investigation conducted by Fulcher lasted three years and centered around the involvement of a chase vehicle in the accident and whether Cobb was the driver of that vehicle. Fulcher stated in his affidavit that he attempted on several occasions to contact and interview Robert Cobb but he refused any interview and failed to return numerous telephone calls. ¶ 23. Cobb was interviewed by Officer Hudson and Officer Wooten regarding the accident. Cobb denied any involvement in the accident. Cobb did, however, admit to having a conversation with the decedents earlier in the day. ¶ 24. Cobb also submitted to the trial court an Itemization of Material Facts in which he stated that he cooperated with the investigation of Officers Wooten and Hudson. In response, Robinson and Johnson dispute this fact, stating [p]laintiffs also dispute that Cobb cooperated with the investigation for the reason that Cobb denied any knowledge or involvement in the accident occurring June 6, 1993. ¶ 25. Cobb asserts that he cooperated fully with the MHP. However, Robinson and Johnson assert that Cobb's denial to the MHP of his involvement in the fatal wreck constitutes active concealment on Cobb's part. Whether Cobb concealed his participation in the fatal wreck is a fact question that should have been left for jury determination.