Court Opinion

ID: 9609376
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 03:26:39.645297+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:24:58.170264
License: Public Domain

TYSON, Judge,
concurring in the result.
I concur in the result of the majority. However, I disagree with the majority’s statement that the evidence “is sufficient to show that Winn-Dixie knew or should have known that Schewzyk was going to drive a motor vehicle, as a reasonable person could find that someone who travels to and from a grocery store does so by driving a motor vehicle.”
There is evidence that Schewzyk did not drive a motor vehicle from the Winn-Dixie after purchasing alcohol. Schewzyk testified in his deposition that he was a passenger in another driver’s car at all relevant times. I cannot agree with a per se rule that Winn-Dixie should be on notice that all patrons drive to and from the store in motor vehicles. It is entirely reasonable for Winn-Dixie to assume that some patrons travel to and from the store by foot, by bike, by public transportation, or as in Schewzyk’s case, as a passenger in an automobile. Also, we cannot presume that a patron pur*267chasing alcohol from a store would consume it while driving, after leaving the store. The vast majority of individuals do not drink and drive, waiting until they get home or to their final destination before consuming their purchase.
The majority’s position requires that Winn-Dixie assume in all instances that patrons buying alcohol will disobey the law. However, “[i]n the absence of anything which gives or should give notice to the contrary, [one] has the right to assume and to act on the assumption that others will observe the rules of the road and obey the law.” Penland v. Greene, 289 N.C. 281, 283, 221 S.E.2d 365, 368 (1976) (citing Wrenn v. Waters, 277 N.C. 337, 177 S.E.2d 284 (1970)). Accordingly, I concur only in the result.