Opinion ID: 2040607
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Act of God

Text: Consolidated Freightways requested that NJI 2.02B be given. This instruction, after stating it is the defendant's burden to prove that the sole proximate cause of the accident was an act of God, defines such an act as a manifestation of nature so unusual and extraordinary that it could not under normal conditions have been reasonably anticipated or expected. This instruction mirrors the applicable case law. Cover v. Platte Valley Public Power & Irr. Dist., 167 Neb. 788, 95 N.W.2d 117 (1959); Snyder v. Farmers Irr. Dist., 157 Neb. 771, 61 N.W.2d 557 (1953). Even though the act of God defense was pled and timely objection was made to the trial court's refusal to so instruct, this assignment of error must fail because the evidence does not support the defense. It is clear that it is the duty of the trial court to instruct the jury only on issues which are pled and which find support in the evidence. Herman v. Midland Ag Service, Inc., 200 Neb. 356, 264 N.W.2d 161 (1978); Swartz v. Peterson, 199 Neb. 171, 256 N.W.2d 681 (1977); Golonka v. Gatewood, 199 Neb. 216, 257 N.W.2d 403 (1977); Schmidt v. Johnson, 184 Neb. 643, 171 N.W.2d 64 (1969). Lucero knew it was misting or raining, that it was getting colder, and that bridges often become icy before the rest of a highway. In fact, he took measures in recognition of that latter fact to prepare for encountering the first icy spot. Under those circumstances, coming upon an icy bridge is clearly not a manifestation of nature so unusual and extraordinary that it could not under normal conditions have been reasonably anticipated or expected.