Kennedy v. . Smith

Devin, I. Tbe determinative question presented here is whether there was any evidence of contributory negligence on tbe part of tbe plaintiff. Tbe court below, being of opinion there was no such evidence, instructed tbe jury to answer that issue “no.” Tbe material evidence on tbis point came from tbe plaintiff. He testified be was driving west on Thomas Street in Rocky Mount at tbe rate of 25 miles per hour, and that defendant’s truck was proceeding north on Howell Street; that as be approached tbe intersection, be met a car traveling east on Thomas Street and at same time be saw tbe lights of defendant’s truck approaching from tbe south, on plaintiff’s left; that be saw tbe truck before be met and passed tbe eastbound car, and that be *516 knew the truck was moving in on the intersection, but be thought the truck was supposed to stop; plaintiff made no effort to stop his automobile, though he did slow down from 25 to 20 miles per hour, and struck the truck “full broadsided,” the front of plaintiff’s automobile “went right up against the middle of the truck.” He did not testify as to the speed of the truck. Plaintiff was driving on the right side of the street, and his automobile was equipped with adequate brakes. The plaintiff relied upon the statute, G-. S., 20-155, which gave him the right of way over a vehicle approaching the intersection from his left, and contended that he was under no duty to stop or slow down to permit the other vehicle to pass, and had the right to proceed on his way, on the assumption that the driver of the truck would stop in time to avoid collision. However, this statutory rule is based upon the assumption that the two vehicles approach or enter the intersection at approximately the same time, and does not apply if the driver on the right, at the time he approaches the intersection and before reaching it, in the exercise of reasonable prudence ascertains that the vehicle on his left has already entered the intersection. Cab Co. v. Sanders, 223 N. C., 626, 27 S. E. (2d), 631; Stewart v. Cab Co., 225 N. C., 654, 36 S. E. (2d), 256; Davis v. Long, 189 N. C., 129, 126 S. E., 321; Piner v. Richter, 202 N. C., 573, 163 S. E., 561; Sebastian v. Motor Lines, 213 N. C., 770, 197 S. E., 539; Swinson v. Nance, 219 N. C., 772, 15 S. E. (2d), 284. While the evidence on this point is not entirely clear, we think from the circumstances detailed there are inferences which fairly may be drawn pointing to lack of due care on the part of the plaintiff constituting one of the proximate causes of his injury. Plaintiff’s evidence that while driving on the right side of the street he struck the defendant’s truck in the intersection “full broadsided” with the front of his automobile would seem to afford ground for the deduction, in the absence of evidence that the speed of the truck was in excess of that of the plaintiff, that the truck already had preceded the automobile into the intersection at the time the plaintiff approached the zone of danger. If so, this would present a question for the jury as to whether under all the circumstances plaintiff exercised proper care. True, there was other evidence on the part of plaintiff, and the burden of proof on the issue of contributory negligence was on the defendant, but if there was any competent evidence tending to establish this defense, whether from the plaintiff or defendant, or inferences of fact fairly deducible therefrom tending to support the defendant’s affirmative defense, the defendant was entitled to have the issue submitted to the jury with appropriate instructions from the court. We think there was error in giving the peremptory instruction in favor of the plaintiff on the issue of contributory negligence, necessitating a new trial. *517 As there must be another trial, we have not deemed it necessary to consider other assignments of error brought forward in defendant’s appeal, as they may not again arise. New trial.