Opinion ID: 2218955
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: This wrongful death action arose from a traffic accident involving Pamela He Crow's (decedent's) automobile and Jensen's farm combine, resulting in decedent's death. On October 23, 1989, decedent, with her three children and one step-son, was traveling west on Highway 18 between Oelrichs and Pine Ridge, South Dakota, in her 1978 Datsun. They entered a stretch of road which involved driving up a hill, then descended onto a gradual decline leading to a narrow bridge over White Clay Creek. About the time decedent's automobile hit the crest of the hill, Jensen's combine (driven by an employee of Jensen) prepared to enter the bridge traveling east. The combine header was 24 feet 9 inches wide. The bridge width was 30 feet wide. The combine entered the bridge at a speed of approximately three miles per hour. Testimony admitted at trial attested to the fact that as decedent's car hit the top of the hill, the sun blinded decedent's eyes and the eyes of the occupants. Decedent's step-son testified that the occupants of the automobile could not see the bottom of the hill where the bridge was located. Decedent's expert witness testified that decedent's range of vision was less than one hundred feet, and may have been as little as ten feet. The combine was on the bridge when decedent finally saw it as she entered a shaded area near the bridge. Decedent attempted to brake but did not have enough time and space, with the collision ensuing. The Estate's expert witness testified that decedent was only able to slow her car to 34 miles an hour before colliding with the combine. Further discussion of pertinent facts to each related issue in dispute will be addressed in our consideration of those issues.