Court Opinion

ID: 9807899
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 20:19:37.052333+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:04:26.434091
License: Public Domain

Connor, J.,
dissenting: It is conceded that plaintiff cannot recover in tbis action unless tbe death of bis intestate was caused by tbe wanton or culpable negligence of tbe defendant as alleged in tbe complaint.
Plaintiff was riding in defendant’s automobile as bis gratuitous guest, at tbe time she suffered her fatal injuries. Under tbe law of tbe State of Virginia, which determines tbe cause of action on which plaintiff seeks to recover, a gratuitous guest cannot recover of tbe driver of tbe automobile in which she is riding damages resulting from injuries caused by bis negligence in operating tbe automobile, unless such negligence is wanton or culpable. '
Culpable negligence has been defined by tbis Court as “such recklessness or carelessness, proximately resulting in injury or death, as imports a thoughtless disregard of consequences, or a heedless indifference to tbe safety and rights of others.” S. v. Cope, 204 N. C., 28, 167 S. E., 456.
I do not think that there was any evidence of such negligence at tbe trial of tbis action, and for that reason I am of tbe opinion that there was error in tbe refusal of tbe trial court to dismiss tbis action by judgment as of nonsuit.
All tbe evidence showed that immediately before tbe accident which resulted in tbe death of plaintiff’s intestate, tbe defendant was driving bis automobile along tbe beach at a speed of from 40 to 50 miles per hour, and that tbis was tbe usual and customary speed at which automobiles were driven along tbe beach. Plaintiff’s intestate, who was bis sister-in-law, complained of the speed only because she was sitting in tbe “rumble” seat, and as tbe automobile passed over tbe camel backs, or ridges in tbe sand, she was thereby caused to bounce up and down. None of tbe other passengers complained of tbe speed. Tbe evidence showed that it was necessary for tbe defendant to drive bis automobile rapidly over tbe camel backs, because of tbe soft sand along tbe beach. I do not think that tbe evidence showed that tbe defendant was in any respect thoughtlessly disregardful of tbe consequences to tbe plaintiff’s intestate, or was heedlessly indifferent to her comfort or safety. Tbe accident occurred when tbe automobile struck tbe wreck which was embedded in tbe sand.
Conceding, however, that as tbe Court bolds, there was evidence sufficient to support an affirmative answer to tbe first issue, I concur in tbe decision- which results in a new trial of tbe issue involving tbe damages which plaintiff is entitled to recover of tbe defendant.