Court Opinion

ID: 9684763
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 14:10:58.406786+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:59.386878
License: Public Domain

HANSON, Judge
(dissenting.)
*499Plaintiff's conduct must be viewed in the light of conditions then existing and the issues of negligence and contributory negligence were for the jury. See Allen v. Martley, 77 S.D. 133, 87 N.W.2d 355.
Plaintiff was not struck at or near the edge of the highway and did not suddenly dart out in front of oncoming traffic. "Whether a pedestrian is guilty of contributory negligence in crossing a highway or street is generally a question of fact for jury determination. It has been said that the position of the pedestrian upon the highway or street at the time of the accident is significant in such respect, and that the cases wherein the evidence of contributory negligence barring recovery is held a matter of law for the court are usually cases in which the pedestrian is struck at or near the edge of the highway or street from which he has started to cross to the other side, and that in the cases where the pedestrian is struck at or beyond the center of the highway or street, the question of contributory negligence is a matter for jury determination." 7 Am.Jur.2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic, § 411, p. 957.
Before being struck plaintiff had walked diagonally across a broad highway in plain view of anyone looking. It was daylight. There is no evidence of heavy traffic. Defendant Dean had a clear and unobstructed view of the scene of the accident for over 4 blocks as he approached from the west. The jury could infer that plaintiff's position of peril was seen, or could have been seen, by defendant Dean in time to have avoided the accident. Yet there is no evidence defendant slowed down, honked, or did anything to avoid striking plaintiff. Dean was 10 minutes late for work and there is ample evidence he was driving at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent with regard to the icy surface of the highway. As between a person on foot and a motor vehicle the power of destruction and the means of avoiding an accident are not equal and comparable. The facts, in my opinion, justify submission of the case to the jury under the doctrine of last clear chance.