Branch v. Libbey

Foster, J. The only question presented by this bill of exceptions is upon the admissibility of evidence, against the plaintiff’s objection, by which the defendant was allowed to prove that just "before and just after the accident to the plaintiff, other persons drove over the street crossing without injury. Without discussing or even expressing any opinion in relation to the merits of the plaintiff’s claim which he sets up against this defendant, we think the evidence was improperly admitted. It has been repeatedly' held in actions against towns for injuries sustained on account of alleged defects in highways therein, that evidence is not admissible to prove that a person other than a party to the action, has either passed safely over the alleged defect, or has received an injury at that place. Such evidence is not competent either for the purpose of proving that the way was defective, or in suitable condition, at the time and place of the alleged injury, or as a test of the degree of care exercised by the plaintiff. In support of these principles only a few of the numerous cases need be cited, among which are the following: Aldrich v. Pelham, 1 Gray, 510; Collins v. Dorchester, 6 [323] Cush. 396; Kidder v. Dunstable, 11 Gray, 342; Schoonmaker v. Wilbraham, 110 Mass. 134; Hubbard v. A. & K. R. R. Co. 39 Maine, 506; Hubbard v. Concord, 35 N. H. 52. The reason assigned for rejecting such evidence is that it is not pertinent to the issue, Put is evidence concerning collateral facts tending "to draw away the minds of the jury from the point in issue, and to excite prejudice a'nd mislead them ; and, moreover, the adverse party having no notice of such a course off evidence, is not prepared to rebut it.” 1 Greenl. Ev. § 52. As ivas said by this court in Parker v. Portland Publishing Co. 69 Maine, 175, the entire weight of judicial authority is. against the reception of such evidence. And in Moulton v. Scruton, 39 Maine, 288, it was held that such evidence was. inadmissible upon cross examination. If admitted, each case would, present a distinct issue, with all its attendant circumstances, including the degree of care, the rate of speed and the kind of vehicle, with which each person was driving. The attention of the jury would thus be diverted from the main issue, and directed, to what is unimportant and purely collateral. In this case it appears from the exceptions that the evidence-admitted went further than was allowable. It went further than showing the mere fact of other persons having driven over the crossing, thereby affording them an opportunity of observing its actual condition, and concerning which they might properly have been allowed to testify. It went so far as to introduce-before the jury the effect produced, — that others drove over the crossing without injury. The jury may have been more or less, influenced by this testimony. It ivas inadmissible. Exceptions sustained. Peters, C. J.., WaltoN, Daxeohtii, Libbey and Emery,, •JJ., concurred.