Opinion ID: 2220610
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wilson v State of New York

Text: Claimant John Wilson was driving west from Canajoharie to Utica on Route 5, traveling at 30 to 35 miles per hour. Moderate to heavy snow was falling, rendering visibility poor. Two snowplows owned by the State were operating near the intersection of Route 5 and Route 167, one behind the other in the eastbound passing lane on Route 5. As Wilson approached the intersection, the first snowplow stopped to make a wide turn, and the second snowplowdriven by William Hunt made a left turn inside the first plow in an attempt to enter Route 167 North. Although Hunt looked, he did not see Wilson's car approaching, and his snowplow collided with Wilson's car. Wilson then brought the present action against the State of New York. The case proceeded to trial before the Court of Claims. At the close of the evidence, the State moved to dismiss, arguing that Wilson had failed to establish that the accident was the result of recklessness. The court granted the motion, holding that a recklessness standard applied because the snowplow was involved in work on a highway within the meaning of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1103 (b), and that the evidence was insufficient to meet that standard. The Appellate Division affirmed, holding that since the snowplow qualified as a vehicle actually engaged in work on a highway under section 1103 (b), the recklessness standard applied, and the evidence failed to establish that Hunt had acted recklessly (269 AD2d 854).