Court Opinion

ID: 9514394
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:49:10.713129+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:16.901151
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Chief Justice,
concurring in result.
[¶ 33.] Although I am in general agreement with the majority holding, I see no need to adopt one of the Couch rules, as the majority has done in ¶ 24. I further disagree with its expression in ¶ 18 that it is necessary to determine the effect of Carl’s disobedience. The “minor deviation rule” that the majority adopts is triggered “once permission is conferred.” In this case, not only was there no permission of any kind for Carl to lend the pickup to Ragatz, but there was also a history of express admonitions.4
[¶34.] South Dakota law unambiguously requires either express or implied permission. From my perspective the law is settled and the facts are clear. There was no express or implied permission for Ragatz to drive David’s vehicle. What more needs to be said?

. It also bears noting again that the four exceptions the majority cites to in footnote 3, in which courts have found implied permission despite express admonitions to the contrary, are not applicable here. This is an easy case: Ragatz was not using the vehicle for Carl's benefit; Carl was not a passenger in the vehicle; Ragatz had no familial relationship with the McGaughs; and David never acquiesced in a "repeated pattern of delegation.”