Opinion ID: 2302820
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Closeness of Connection

Text: In considering the closeness of the connection between Mr. Clukey's alleged negligent conduct (not preventing Mr. Milner from operating his vehicle) and Mr. Johnson's untimely death, we are obliged to stress the voluntary and independent nature of Mr. Milner's decision to drive upon his return to the convenience store. See Banks, 522 A.2d at 1225 (connection between defendant's conduct in not posting warning signs and plaintiff's injury caused by his voluntarily diving into harbor was not close). Moreover, the record reflects that a significant amount of time passed between Mr. Clukey's drop-off of Mr. Milner at the convenience store parking lot and the fatal collision. [20] Such voluntary action on the part of Mr. Milner, considered in conjunction with the lack of temporal closeness of events, certainly strains any close connection perceived in this case. 5