Opinion ID: 2332710
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The December 10, 2009 ruling on summary judgment

Text: On March 26, 2009, Infinity filed another motion for summary judgment on the Estate's negligent entrustment and maintenance claims. The Kalenka Estate filed an opposition. On September 25, 2009, the court of appeals affirmed Morrell's conviction for second-degree murder. The superior court case was reassigned to pro tem Superior Court Judge Peter G. Ashman, who granted summary judgment for Infinity. The superior court explained that the concerns prompting the court's earlier reconsideration were no longer relevant: The earlier ruling on the maintenance and entrustment claims determined that neither party had requested a final ruling on their merits and therefore concluded summary judgment was inappropriate at that time. As Infinity now sought a ruling on these claims, Judge Ashman concluded that judicial resolution of those issues was appropriate. The superior court determined that the Kalenka Estate had presented insufficient admissible evidence to defeat summary judgment. The court also held that Morrell's brutal and intentional assault of Eric Kalenka broke the chain of causation between Wassili's entrustment of his vehicle to Morrell and the damages suffered by Kalenka as a result of Morrell's actions. The Kalenka Estate appeals the superior court's determination that Kalenka's death did not arise out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of Morrell's vehicle. The superior court's ruling that Part B of the policy provides coverage for medical expenses is not at issue in this appeal.