Opinion ID: 900807
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Thomas Juffer

Text: [¶ 30.] This Court has recognized negligent entrustment as a valid cause of action in South Dakota. Colonial Ins. Co. of Cal. v. Lundquist, 539 N.W.2d 871, 872 (S.D.1995). Negligent entrustment is an action to hold the owner of an insured motor vehicle liable for his negligence in acts arising out of the ownership of the vehicle. Lundquist, 539 N.W.2d 871 at 876. An owner of a vehicle may be guilty of negligence if he permits an incompetent, inexperienced and knowingly reckless and accident prone person to drive his vehicle. Stover v. Critchfield, 510 N.W.2d 681, 684 (SD 1994) (citing Robe v. Ager, 80 S.D. 597, 129 N.W.2d 47, 51 (S.D.1964); see also Arbach v. Gruba, 89 S.D. 322, 232 N.W.2d 842, 846 (S.D. 1975)). This doctrine applies to situations where an owner negligently permits another to drive his vehicle. Permission, either express or implied, is a prerequisite to a suit for negligent entrustment. [¶ 31.] From our analysis of the omnibus clause claim, we have determined that there is no evidence that Juffer gave Mike express permission to drive the vehicle. However, there is a material question of fact as to whether Juffer gave implied permission to Mike to drive the vehicle. If a jury determines that implied permission existed, then the other requirements of negligent entrustment can be addressed. Accordingly, the trial court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Juffer is reversed.