Court Opinion

ID: 9658496
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 21:02:12.237684+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:55.903160
License: Public Domain

Fairchild, J.
(dissenting). Defendant Reid testified that visibility was reduced because of blowing snow. The jury was entitled to consider this fact, together with the testimony as to the quantity of alcohol in his blood, in determining whether he was negligent as to speed as he approached the scene of the accident. Had he observed the flashing red light on the wrecker vehicle, he would have realized what it was. The jury could reasonably consider that the presence of the stationary wrecker was some notice that extraordinary conditions prevailed, including the possibility that people on foot might be working or moving about it; that ordinary care required an approaching driver to stop, or slow down sufficiently to appraise the situation, before attempting to go around the wrecker, and that Reid’s rate of speed and inadequate lookout prevented him from doing so. Had he done so, he would not have struck Gilbert. In my opinion, the evidence supports the jury’s answers, and .they should not have been changed.
*405I am authorized to state that Mr. Justice Currie and Mr. Justice Dieterich join in this dissent.