Opinion ID: 1629911
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: whether the city, its agents or employees, acted with reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of others.

Text: ¶ 19. Next, plaintiffs argue that, despite Williams's negligence, they should still be allowed to recover if the City acted in reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of other motorists. A similar argument has recently been rejected by our Court of Appeals. See Tory v. City of Edwards, 829 So.2d 1246 (Miss.Ct.App. 2002). ¶ 20. In Tory, the Court of Appeals rejected the appellant's contention that the trial judge was required to make a finding as to whether the officers' conduct was in reckless disregard for the safety of others. The court reasoned that such a finding would have removed the statutory requirement that an individual bringing suit against a law enforcement officer not be involved in criminal activity at the time of injury. Tory, 829 So.2d at 1249-50. We agree with the Court of Appeals. The Legislature decided to limit the recovery rights of individuals injured while committing criminal acts, and we decline to circumvent this reasonable decision. ¶ 21. Moreover, there is no credible evidence that the City and its employees acted with reckless disregard for the safety of Williams or anyone else. Rather, the evidence supports the conclusion that the City employees were circumspectly carrying out their duties as fire department personnel, while Williams was driving under the influence of alcohol contrary to the laws of this State. Though the record reveals that Irving was taking medication, there is evidence that it was on the low side of the therapeutic range and that he was not impaired. Williams's death is a tragedy, however, it was caused by his own negligence and disregard for the safety of himself and others. We decline to hold the City of Jackson responsible.