Mills v. Dakota Power Co.

McCOY, J. Action to recover damages to an automobile resulting from a collision with a truck by reason of the alleged negligence of the driver of said truck. From a verdict and judgment in favor of plaintiff, defendant appeals. The vital question presented is whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain the verdict under the instructions of the court, appellant’s contention in substance being that, measured by the instructions' given, the verdict should not be permitted to stand, for the reason there was no evidence whatsoever of negligence on the part of appellant, while on the contrary respondent was by the undisputed evidence shown to be guilty of contributory negligence of such a character as would preclude plaintiff from a recovery, that appellant, as a matter of law, had the right of way at this street intersection, and that respondent was at fault in not observing it. The record in substance shows the following facts: That the collision took place at or near the intersection of Ninth and South streets in the city of Rapid City, at a time when both vehicles were moving at a moderate rate of speed; that the following plat shows the relative position in the traveled portion of said streets of the course or path pursued by each of said vehicles immediatel)'' prior to the collision: [i] Plaintiff was traveling southward on the right side of Ninth street, and, desiring to turn and go west on South street, made the turn with his car wholly on the right side of the center [455] line of the said streets, and was proceeding westward on South street when the collision occurred. Defendant’s truck was traveling eastward on the left side of South street, and as he approached Ninth street said truck swung out towards and on the center line of South street. Both vehicles were to the north and right of the center line of South street at the time of the collision. The driver of defendant’s truck testified that he did not intend turning north up Ninth street, but intended to continue eastward on South street. Respondent testified that when he first observed the truck swinging out toward the center of South street he thought it was the intention of the driver of the truck to continue eastward on South street, but when said truck took a turn towards the north side of said street he then thought it intended turning up Ninth street. There was some conflict in the evidence as to the condition of the road, some conflict as to the exact location of the collision, and some conflict as to conversations of the drivers of said vehicles immediately after the collision. Whatever conflict there may be in the evidence, by the verdict of the jury, has been resolved in favor of plaintiff. As we view the evidence, it is immaterial whether the driver of the truck intended continuing eastward on South street or intended turning up Ninth street, as in either case respondent was entitled to the right of way on the right side of both streets over the course he intended to go. The respondent was, by the law of the road, at all times traveling in a place where he had a right to be, and where he had the right of way. Under the law of the road, defendant’s truck, as far as it related to respondent, was at all times .in a place where it had no right to be, and where it had no right of way as against respondent. [2, 3] Section 1 of chapter 267, Laws 1919, so far as applicable to the evidence of this case, provides that— “Every driver of a motor vehicle approaching the intersection of a street or highway shall grant the right of way at such intersection to any vehicle approaching such intersection from his right; * * * every driver of a motor vehicle turning into another street or highway to' the right shall turn the corner as near the right-hand boundary of the road as possible..* * * Every driver of a motor vehicle turning into another street or highway to the left shall, before turning, pass, wherever possible, to the right [456] and beyond the center of the intersection of the two streets or highways.” Section 8632, Code 1919, provides: “Whenever one person shall meet another on an}' bridge or road, traveled by wagon, carriage, sled or other vehicle, each shall pass to the right of the middle of the traveled part of such bridge or road, so that the respective vehicles may pass each other without interference.” A city ordinance, not in conflict with any state statute, provides that— “A driver of any vehicle in the city of Rapid City shall as far as possible keep to the right of the center line of the street along which he is traveling.” Under these provisions of the general' statute, and the city ordinance, respondent was at all times observing the rules of the road. Respondent had the right to turn said corner as he did, and had no duty to apprehend that he would find the truck of appellant on the left side of South street. Respondent had the right of way on the right side of Ninth street going southward, and also had the right of way on the right side of south street going westward. If appellant had been observing the rules of the road and had been 011 the right side of the center of South street going eastward, this collision would never have occurred. If respondent had intended continuing southward on Ninth street, it then would have been his duty to have given defendant’s truck the right of way, but respondent, not intending to so continue southward across South street, was not required to take into consideration the appellant’s right to the right of way at such street intersection as the route intended to be taken, and which was taken by respondent, would in no manner interfere with appellant’s right of way to continue eastward on South street, if appellant had been where he should, have been in going eastward on South street. Although the truck of appellant in the absence of other vehicles, might properly have been moving on the left side of South street in going eastward, still 'it was the duty of the driver of the truck to apprehend the probability of another vehicle, having the right of way, turning into that side of the street in front of him from a cross street, and which would have immediately required the truck so headed eastward to cross over on to [457] the right side of South street and give the right of way to such other vehicle. The instruction given correctly stated the law of the road, and was most favorable to appellant, if the jury found respondent at fault. We are of the opinion the verdict was sustained by the evidence under the instruction given. Finding no prejudicial error in the record, the judgment and order appealed from are affirmed. WHITING, J., not sitting.