Court Opinion

ID: 9673797
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:18:39.45917+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:24.195051
License: Public Domain

ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
We are challenged in appellee’s motion for rehearing in speculating on the danger and confusion involved if five mortuaries operated ambulances, as the record reflects there are only two ambulance services in Amarillo.
It is true the record so reflects, but it shows at least five competing mortuaries. Plaintiffs’ Exhibit No. 2 shows that Amarillo Ambulance Service, the only one in the city operating with a permit, has stated: “If the city will stop the Southwest Ambulance operation, we will continue in business. If it will not, this company must cease operations and try to pay all of its debts.”
Under the record here we believe it is reasonable to assume that if the city is not permitted to regulate ambulances the other mortuaries will be forced to initiate ambulance services to protect their mortuary interests. If they should all do so, the confusion in a city the size of Amarillo and the danger to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic would be intolerable.
The Amarillo Ambulance Service manager testified if Southwest Mortuary ceased to operate its ambulance service, it would be placed under the same rotation system as the mortuaries named.
The motion for rehearing is overruled.