Opinion ID: 1834615
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Jeffrey Mitchell

Text: The plaintiff's theory of recovery against Mitchell is essentially the same as her theory of recovery against the Batens. That is, she contends that Mitchell furnished the champagne to Blaylock and that, in consequence thereof, Blaylock negligently entrusted his automobile to King. Acknowledging that he furnished champagne to the guests at the reception, Mitchell contends that the summary judgment in his favor was nonetheless proper because, he says, there is no evidence tending to show that he had a duty to prevent Blaylock from drinking it. As previously noted, Mitchell's furnishing of champagne to Blaylock was not a violation of law; therefore, the plaintiff's claim based on § 6-5-71 must fail. Furthermore, as previously noted, the evidence is undisputed that Blaylock neither knew nor had sufficient reason to know when he left the reception with King that King was incompetent to operate an automobile; thus, the plaintiff's failure to submit proof of one of the essential elements of a negligent entrustment cause of action also required the entry of a judgment for Mitchell as a matter of law. The summary judgment for Mitchell was proper. AFFIRMED. HORNSBY, C.J., and JONES, SHORES and KENNEDY, JJ., concur.