{ "id": 8525257, "name": "SANDRA L. HART and ROGER J. HART, Plaintiffs v. HOWARD L. IVEY, JR. and JOHN ROSENBLATT and DAVID KING and DAVID HOWELL and MIKE'S DISCOUNT BEVERAGE, INC., Defendants and JOHN DENNIS LITTLE, JR. and JOHN DENNIS LITTLE, SR., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs v. HOWARD L. IVEY, JR., Third-Party Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "Hart v. Ivey", "decision_date": "1991-05-07", "docket_number": "No. 8926SC1192", "first_page": "583", "last_page": "597", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "102 N.C. App. 583" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "62 ALR4th 16", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 4th", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "486 P.2d 151", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "158-59" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "95 Cal. Rptr. 623", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. Rptr.", "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "630-31" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "5 Cal.3d 153", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2324319 ], "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "163-64" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/cal-3d/5/0153-01" ] }, { "cite": "156 A.2d 1", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "year": 1959, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "8" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "31 N.J. 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J.", "case_ids": [ 565101 ], "year": 1959, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "202" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nj/31/0188-01" ] }, { "cite": "315 S.E.2d 702", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "310 N.C. 744", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2400561, 2399698, 2394071, 2398716, 2396287 ], "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/310/0744-03", "/nc/310/0744-04", "/nc/310/0744-01", "/nc/310/0744-02", "/nc/310/0744-05" ] }, { "cite": "309 S.E.2d 531", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "534", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" }, { "page": "534" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "65 N.C. App. 526", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524955 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "529" }, { "page": "529" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/65/0526-01" ] }, { "cite": "305 S.E.2d 734", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "309 N.C. 191", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4765284, 4764974, 4766543, 4763289, 4768921 ], "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/309/0191-01", "/nc/309/0191-04", "/nc/309/0191-02", "/nc/309/0191-03", "/nc/309/0191-05" ] }, { "cite": "303 S.E.2d 584", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 6, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "593" }, { "page": "588" }, { "page": "590" }, { "page": "591" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "63 N.C. App. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8523739 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "16" }, { "page": "7" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/63/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "88 S.E.2d 333", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1955, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "339" }, { "parenthetical": "citations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "242 N.C. 332", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8614735 ], "year": 1955, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "341" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/242/0332-01" ] }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-77", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1943, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-90.1", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 7, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-46", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-78.1", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 4, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-2", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1943, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "363 S.E.2d 672", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "88 N.C. App. 437", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8358398 ], "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/88/0437-01" ] }, { "cite": "93 L.Ed.2d 75", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "107 S.Ct. 131", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "479 U.S. 835", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6337380, 6337829, 6335429, 6336041, 6337129, 6336299, 6338284, 6335857, 6336722, 6336918, 6338071, 6336536, 6335641, 6337599 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/479/0835-10", "/us/479/0835-12", "/us/479/0835-01", "/us/479/0835-04", "/us/479/0835-09", "/us/479/0835-05", "/us/479/0835-14", "/us/479/0835-03", "/us/479/0835-07", "/us/479/0835-08", "/us/479/0835-13", "/us/479/0835-06", "/us/479/0835-02", "/us/479/0835-11" ] }, { "cite": "337 S.E.2d 528", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "315 N.C. 103", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4719732 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/315/0103-01" ] }, { "cite": "322 S.E.2d 567", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "71 N.C. App. 289", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8525220 ], "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/71/0289-01" ] }, { "cite": "277 S.E.2d 562", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "51 N.C. App. 571", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 2643851 ], "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/51/0571-01" ] }, { "cite": "279 S.E.2d 69", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "52 N.C. App. 601", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 12170550 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "605" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/52/0601-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 S.E.2d 230", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "235" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "281 N.C. 476", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8575323 ], "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "484" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/281/0476-01" ] }, { "cite": "282 S.E.2d 509", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "511" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "54 N.C. App. 202", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521226 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "205" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/54/0202-01" ] }, { "cite": "173 S.E.2d 47", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "48", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "7 N.C. App. 532", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8551467 ], "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "534", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/7/0532-01" ] }, { "cite": "265 S.E.2d 135", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "137", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" }, { "page": "140" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "300 N.C. 83", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8559792 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "86", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" }, { "page": "89" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/300/0083-01" ] }, { "cite": "354 S.E.2d 495", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "498" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "319 N.C. 298", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4744038 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "303" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/319/0298-01" ] }, { "cite": "303 S.E.2d 584", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "593-94" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "63 N.C. App. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8523739 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "16" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/63/0001-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1220, "char_count": 33395, "ocr_confidence": 0.763, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.761198355632353e-07, "percentile": 0.8335831548480239 }, "sha256": "9e0ba7f0371e12c5b94e3d751392bd34f51982a0019a49aaf9f9c1caa8fc81f8", "simhash": "1:796c57e6d2f92452", "word_count": 5496 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:20:04.252791+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judge Greene concurs.", "Judge Lewis dissents." ], "parties": [ "SANDRA L. HART and ROGER J. HART, Plaintiffs v. HOWARD L. IVEY, JR. and JOHN ROSENBLATT and DAVID KING and DAVID HOWELL and MIKE\u2019S DISCOUNT BEVERAGE, INC., Defendants and JOHN DENNIS LITTLE, JR. and JOHN DENNIS LITTLE, SR., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs v. HOWARD L. IVEY, JR., Third-Party Defendant" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "ORR, Judge.\nThe sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred in dismissing plaintiffs\u2019 claim for relief under Rule 12(b)(6) of the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure. For the reasons below, we hold that the trial court erred.\nUnder N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) (1983), the question is whether the complaint, liberally construed, states a claim upon which relief may be granted under any theory. An incorrect choice of legal theory upon which the claim is based does not bar the claim if the allegations are sufficient under any other legal theory. Brewer v. Hatcher, 52 N.C. App. 601, 279 S.E.2d 69 (1981); Jones v. City of Greensboro, 51 N.C. App. 571, 277 S.E.2d 562 (1981).\nIn deciding a motion under this rule, the trial court must treat the allegations of the complaint as true. Azzolino v. Dingfelder, 71 N.C. App. 289, 322 S.E.2d 567 (1984), aff\u2019d in part, rev\u2019d in part, 315 N.C. 103, 337 S.E.2d 528 (1985), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 835, 107 S.Ct. 131, 93 L.Ed.2d 75 (1986). A claim may be dismissed under this rule if there is no law to support the claim, if there is an absence of fact to make a good claim, or if there is a disclosure of fact which will defeat the claim. Robertson v. Boyd, 88 N.C. App. 437, 363 S.E.2d 672 (1988). In ruling upon a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, however, this Court is not limited to review of the issues briefed. Brewer, 52 N.C. App. at 605, 274 S.E.2d at 71.\nPlaintiff\u2019s claims against Ivey, Rosenblatt, King and Howell in the present action are based upon: (1) a negligence per se violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302, and (2) common law negligence. Under either theory of negligence, this Court must decide if a cause of action can be maintained in North Carolina against a social host who provides alcoholic beverages to an underage person for consumption, resulting in impaired driving by the underage person and injuries to an innocent third-party.\nI. Negligence Per Se\nA. Statutory Background and Analysis\nPlaintiffs allege in their complaint that all four defendants violated N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 (1983) and are therefore negligent per se. Defendants counter that \u00a7 18B-302 deals only with commercial vendors and has no application in a social host situation. We disagree.\nAs early as 1935, it was unlawful under the laws regulating intoxicating liquors in this state for any person to \u201c. . . deliver, furnish, purchase or possess any intoxicating liquor except as authorized. . . .\u201d N.C. Code of 1935 \u00a7 3411(b). This provision was separate from the Beverage Control Acts of 1933 and 1939. By 1943, this statute became N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-2 (1943) and still was not included under the Beverage Control Acts. The Beverage Control Act of 1939 was amended in 1943, however, to include N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-78.1, which regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.\nTherefore, by 1943, the General Statutes contained two separate provisions, in addition to \u00a7 18-2, dealing with the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-78.1 (1943) states: \u201cNo holder of a license authorizing the sale at retail of beverages, as defined in \u00a7 18-64 . . . shall . . . \u2018(1) knowingly sell such beverages to any person under eighteen (18) years of age.\u2019 \u201d Violation of the act resulted in the potential suspension or revocation of the license to sell. (N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-46 also dealt with the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors by an ABC store.)\nUnder the same Article 4, \u201cBeverage Control Act of 1939,\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-90.1 (the predecessor to \u00a7 18B-302) stated: \u201cIt shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell or give any of the products authorized to be sold by this article to any minor under eighteen years of age.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-90.1 (1943).\nIt is therefore evident that in the early period of the development of alcoholic beverage control laws, the Legislature provided for specific penalties for commercial licensees and ABC stores for selling to minors (N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-78.1) and for any person, firm or corporation who sold or gave alcohol to minors. (N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-90.1). Since no entity was legally entitled to sell alcoholic beverages without a license, N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-77 (1943), N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-90.1 clearly was intended to cover situations involving non-licensees.\nOver the years, the Alcoholic Beverage Control laws of the state have been repeatedly amended and rewritten. In 1971, a major rewrite of Chapter 18 occurred. Section 18-2, which had been part of the laws carried forward from Prohibition days, became \u00a7 18A-3 under Article I, \u201cGeneral Provisions.\u201d This statute stated, \u201c(a) No person shall . . . deliver, furnish, purchase, or possess any intoxicating liquor except as authorized in this Chapter.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18A-3 (1971). See also 1971 N.C. Sess. Laws. c. 872 s. 1. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-90.1 became \u00a7 18A-8. 1971 N.C. Sess. Laws. c. 872 s. 1.\nIn 1981, Chapter 18A was rewritten and recodified as Chapter 18B. 1981 N.C. Sess. Laws c. 412 s. 2. Section 18A-3 (General Prohibition) was recodified as \u00a7 18B-102, in essentially the same form. Id. The remaining statute (\u00a7 18A-8) became \u00a7 18B-302. Id. Under this statute, the one before us in the present case:\nSale to or purchase by underage persons.\n(a) Sale. \u2014It shall be unlawful for any person to:\n(1) Sell or give malt beverages or unfortified wine to anyone less than 19 years old; ....\n(2) Sell or give fortified wine, spiritous liquor, or mixed beverages to anyone less than 21 years old.\n(b) Purchase or Possession. \u2014 It shall be unlawful for:\n(1) A person less than 19 years old to purchase, to attempt to purchase, or to possess malt beverages or unfortified wine; or\n(2) A person less than 21 years old to purchase, to attempt to purchase, or to possess fortified wine, spiritous liquor, or mixed beverages.\n(c) Aider and Abettor.\n(1) By Underage Person. \u2014Any person who is under the lawful age to purchase and who aids or abets another in violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the court.\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 (1983) (emphasis added). This statute now appears under Article 3, \u201cSale, Possession, and Consumption.\u201d\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-78.1, dealing with sale to minors by licensees, was deleted in its previous form as was any reference to the sale to minors by ABC stores (N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18-46). The effect of \u00a7 18-78.1 was perpetuated, however, through the language of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18A-43: \u201cIf any permittee violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or Chapter 105, or any rule or regulation promulgated under authority of either chapter ... his permit may be revoked or suspended. . . .\u201d The statutory scheme of \u00a7 18A-43 has been carried forward to the present in Chapter 18B, Article 10 \u201cRetail Activities\u201d (N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-1005), which states in part: \u201cIt shall be unlawful for a permittee ... to knowingly allow any of the following kinds of conduct to occur on his licensed premises: (1) Any violation of this Chapter.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-1005 (1983). Therefore, a sale to an underaged individual by a permittee under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 (the statute directly before us) is also a violation of \u00a7 18B-1005. Moreover, a violation of any of these statutes is a violation of the \u201cgeneral prohibition\u201d under \u00a7 18B-102(a).\nStatutory analysis and common sense dictate that the Legislature did not intend to punish sales to underaged persons by legally licensed permittees, and not to punish unlicensed \u201cpersons\u201d who sell or give alcohol or malt beverages to those underaged. The statutory scheme as set out in the present Chapter 18B and discussed above prohibits any sale, possession or giving of alcohol or malt beverages to an underaged person or aiding and abetting the sale or possession whether by a legally licensed commercial vendor, the county bootlegger or a neighbor down the street. Therefore, under our statutory analysis and the facts of this case, N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302(a) dealing with \u201csales\u201d applies to the issues presented in the present case.\nWe note also that even though it was not specifically alleged in the pleadings, defendants are potentially liable for violating \u00a7 18B-302(c) which states that it is unlawful for \u201c[a]ny person who is under the lawful age to purchase and who aids or abets another in violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section. . . .\u201d (Emphasis added.)\nB. Violation of public safety statutes is negligence per se.\n\u201cIt is well-settled law in this jurisdiction, that when a statute imposes upon a person a specific duty for the protection of others, that a violation of such statute is negligence per se.\u201d Lutz Industries, Inc. v. Dixie Home Stores, 242 N.C. 332, 341, 88 S.E.2d 333, 339 (1955). To make a case for actionable negligence, the plaintiff must establish the additional element of proximate cause. Id. (citations omitted). See Hutchens v. Hankins, 63 N.C. App. 1, 303 S.E.2d 584, disc. review denied, 309 N.C. 191, 305 S.E.2d 734 (1983), for a comprehensive discussion of the development in the law in this area. (The statute in question should be designed to promote safety; the plaintiff must be a member of the class protected by the statute and the defendant must be a person who has specific duties under the statute.) See also W. Prosser, The Law of Torts, \u00a7 36 (5th ed. 1984).\nWe now turn to whether a violation of \u00a7 18B-302 is negligence per se. Plaintiffs allege in the complaint that defendants Ivey, Rosenblatt, King and Howell \u201cpurchased two kegs of beer\u201d and subsequently hosted a party and served Little, Jr. a quantity of beer, allegedly causing Little, Jr. to become intoxicated. Because of his intoxication, Little, Jr. allegedly caused plaintiff\u2019s injuries.\nTaking these allegations as true as we are required to do under Rule 12(b)(6), it is clear that defendants violated \u00a7 18B-302(b) in that they possessed malt beverages. Their potential culpability to plaintiffs, however, arises out of a violation of subsections (a) and (c), which they also violated according to the pleadings, by virtue of selling or providing malt beverages to Little, Jr. and aiding and abetting him in possessing it. Because plaintiff is a member of the class of persons Chapter 18B (a public safety statute) is intended to protect, a violation of this statute is negligence per se.\nThe Hutchens Court held that the general purpose of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18A-34 (now \u00a7 18B-305(a)) is \u201c(1) the protection of the customer from adverse consequences of intoxication and (2) the protection of the community at large from the injurious consequences of contact with an intoxicated person.\u201d 63 N.C. App. at 16, 303 S.E.2d at 593. The court further held that the requirements of \u00a7 18A-34 were the minimum standard of conduct for defendant-licensees and that a violation of the statute could give rise to a negligence action against the licensee by a member of the public injured by the intoxicated customer. Id. While \u00a7 18A-34 is not the statute involved in the case sub judice, the public policy and general purposes as set forth above are equally applicable to other provisions within the current Chapter 18B.\nTherefore, we hold that N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 sets forth the minimum standard of conduct for the citizens of North Carolina in selling or providing or aiding in an underaged individual\u2019s possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages. We need not recite at any length the record of carnage on our public highways caused by drivers (particularly those underage) who have consumed intoxicating beverages. Needless to say, the public, as evidenced by the actions of our Legislature, has increasingly focused on the need to curtail and punish the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage persons.\nWe therefore hold that a violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 is negligence per se. See Freeman v. Finney and Zwigard v. Mobil Oil Corp., 65 N.C. App. 526, 309 S.E.2d 531 (1983), disc. review denied, 310 N.C. 744, 315 S.E.2d 702 (1984). In Freeman, this Court stated that N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18A-8 (now \u00a7 18B-302)\nimposes a duty or obligation not to sell beer to minors. The purpose of this statute is to protect both the minor and the community at large from the possible adverse consequences of the minor\u2019s intoxication. See Hutchens, supra. When a statute, such as the one in this case, imposes upon a person a specific duty for the protection of others, a violation of such statute constitutes negligence per se.\n65 N.C. App. at 529, 309 S.E.2d at 534 (citations omitted).\nThe court in Freeman further pointed out \u201c[defendants . . . were negligent as a matter of law when they failed to conform to the standard imposed by G.S. 18A-8. It is up to plaintiffs, however, to prove that defendants\u2019 negligence was a proximate cause of their injuries.\u201d Id.\nC. Proximate Cause\nHistorically, the rule of non-liability of a provider of alcohol to an individual who subsequently injured a third-party has rested on the two rationales quoted in Hutchens.\nFirst, the proximate cause of both the patron\u2019s intoxication and the subsequent injury to the third party was held to be the consumption of liquor, not its sale or furnishing. Second, even if the sale or furnishing were found to have caused the patron\u2019s intoxication, the subsequent injury to a third party was held to be an unforeseeable result of the furnishing of the intoxicating beverage.\n63 N.C. App. at 7, 303 S.E.2d at 588.\nWithout repeating the extensive discussion in Hutchens as to the development of the law in regard to proximate cause in this type of situation, suffice it to say that the court in Hutchens has enunciated the law in North Carolina that we are bound to follow. The Hutchens court stated:\nWhen alcoholic beverages are sold by a tavern keeper to a minor or to an intoxicated person, the unreasonable risk of harm not only to the minor or the intoxicated person but also to members of the traveling public may readily be recognized and forseen; ....\nId. at 10, 303 S.E.2d at 590, quoting, Rappaport v. Nichols, 31 N.J. 188, 202, 156 A.2d 1, 8 (1959).\nThe Court then agreed with the reasoning of the Supreme Court of California in Vesley v. Sager, 5 Cal.3d 153, 163-64, 95 Cal. Rptr. 623, 630-31, 486 P.2d 151, 158-59 (1971).\nTo the extent that the common law rule of nonliability is based on concepts of proximate cause, we are persuaded by the reasoning of the cases that have abandoned that rule . . . [A]n actor may be liable if his negligence is a substantial factor in causing an injury, and he is not relieved of liability because of the intervening act of a third person if such act was reasonably foreseeable at the time of his negligent conduct . . .\n. . . Moreover, \u201cIf the likelihood that a third person may act in a particular manner is the hazard or one of the hazards which makes the actor negligent, such an act whether innocent, negligent, intentionally tortious or criminal does not prevent the actor from being liable for harm caused thereby.\u201d . . .\n. . . Insofar as proxim\u00e1te cause is concerned, we find no basis for a distinction founded solely on the fact that the consumption of an alcoholic beverage is a voluntary act of the consumer and is a link in the chain of causation from the furnishing of the beverage to the injury resulting from intoxication. Under the above principles of proximate cause, it is clear that the furnishing of an alcoholic beverage to an intoxicated person may he a proximate cause of injuries inflicted by that individual upon a third person. If such furnishing is a proximate cause, it is so because the consumption, resulting intoxication, and injury-producing conduct are foreseeable intervening causes, or at least the injury-producing conduct is one of the hazards which makes such furnishing negligent. (Citations omitted.) (Emphasis supplied.)\nId. at 11-12, 303 S.E.2d at 591.\nThe Hutchens court thus states the law in North Carolina to permit a claim as in the case sub judice to go forward upon proper pleading of facts showing proximate cause.\nThe case before us requires only a minor extension of Hutchens and Freeman which dealt with commercial furnishing of alcohol. The allegations show that the defendants illegally purchased beer and provided it to defendant Little, Jr., thus aiding and abetting his possession. Little, Jr. became intoxicated and subsequently drove his vehicle into the plaintiff\u2019s vehicle. For purposes of a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the facts in this case more than adequately set forth the proximate cause element of plaintiff\u2019s claim. \u201cThe question of whether defendants should have foreseen the injurious consequences from their negligent conduct and whether their conduct was a substantial cause of plaintiff\u2019s injuries cannot be discarded as a matter of law on a motion to dismiss or for judgment on the pleadings.\u201d Freeman, 65 N.C. App. at 529, 309 S.E.2d at 534.\nD. Effect of \u201cDram Shop\u201d Legislation\nFinally, we need to address the contention raised by defendants that the 1983 enactment by the Legislature of Article 1A \u201cCompensation for Injury Caused by Sales to Underage Persons\u201d (Dram Shop Act) expresses the legislative intent to limit recovery in civil actions to circumstances provided for in Article 1A. We do not agree with defendants\u2019 interpretation.\nBy virtue of enacting Article 1A, the Legislature created a statutory cause of action limited to the specific circumstances involving a permittee\u2019s or ABC Board\u2019s sale of alcoholic beverages to an underaged person. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-121 (1983). Specific requirements and limitations relating to damages were included in the Act. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-123 (1983). Absolutely nothing is indicated in the Act which would eliminate or abrogate other causes of action arising either statutorily or by common law. Absent obvious legislative intent to preclude causes of action against any persons other than permittees and ABC Boards, this Court cannot dismiss plaintiffs\u2019 claim as to these defendants.\nIn summary, we hold consistent with Hutchens and Finney that violations of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 establish negligence per se. Therefore, the trial court erred in dismissing plaintiffs\u2019 cause of action arising out of a violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302 and stating sufficient allegations of proximate cause.\nII. Common Law Negligence\nPlaintiffs also argue that they have a claim against defendants under a theory of common law negligence because they furnished Little, Jr. with alcoholic beverages. We disagree.\nA review of the common law of this State reveals no precedent for the existence of such a cause of action. Our courts to date have not articulated any common law duty existing between a third-party furnishing alcohol to underaged persons and the public at large. This Court is therefore not prepared to establish any such common law duty under the facts of this case, especially since our Legislature has already addressed the issue by virtue of enacting certain public safety statutes as previously discussed giving rise to a statutory duty and thus the negligence per se cause of action advocated by plaintiffs.\nIn summary, we hold that under the facts in the case before us, plaintiffs have alleged a negligence per se cause of action against the social hosts (defendants) who allegedly provided malt beverages to an underaged person for consumption, resulting in his impaired driving and subsequent injuries to a third-party. Plaintiffs may therefore proceed under \u00a7 18B-302.\nTo hold otherwise would be contrary to North Carolina law and the public policy in this State. Likewise, such determination would potentially insulate negligent parties from civil responsibility in a situation where there is potential joint and several liability as well as violation of a public safety statute. This Court declines to determine that such insulation is the law in this State.\nIn conclusion, we can anticipate concern over this extension of liability to social hosts. The facts of this case are limited to the providing of alcoholic beverages to underaged persons in contravention of the law. Alcoholic beverages are strictly controlled by the laws of our State and are provided to individuals under specific regulatory provisions. Just like innocent third-parties who take their chances by being on the highway at the same time as the intoxicated underaged driver, those who decide to provide alcohol to underaged persons must take their chances to suffer the financial consequences of their acts.\nReversed and Remanded.\nJudge Greene concurs.\nJudge Lewis dissents.", "type": "majority", "author": "ORR, Judge." }, { "text": "Judge LEWIS\ndissenting.\nI dissent because I believe the majority is legislating.\nThe majority extends Hutchens v. Hankins, 63 N.C. App. 1, 303 S.E.2d 584 (1983), in holding that N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-302 imposes liability in tort on non-commercial social hosts who provide alcoholic beverages to minors. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-302(a)(l) in pertinent part provides:\nSale to or purchase by underage persons\n(a) Sale \u2014It shall be unlawful for any person to\n(1) Sell or give malt beverages or unfortified wine to anyone less than 19 years old; . . .\nThe majority alternatively bases the defendant\u2019s liability on the fact that section (b) of the statute prohibits any underaged minor from \u201cpossession\u201d of an alcoholic beverage and section (c) prohibits \u201cany person\u201d from aiding or abetting a minor in violating section (b). N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-302.\nOn close reading of this statute, I cannot conclude that the statute unambiguously prohibits non-commercial social hosts from providing malt beverages to underaged persons. In interpreting any statute, legislative intent is controlling and can be ascertained from the phraseology of the statute, the nature and purpose of the act, and the consequences which would flow from its interpretation. Morrison v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 319 N.C. 298, 303, 354 S.E.2d 495, 498 (1987). This particular statute is part of Chapter 18B of the North Carolina General Statutes which addresses \u201cRegulation of Alcoholic Beverages.\u201d The purpose of Chapter 18B is \u201cto establish a uniform system of control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina. . . .\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-100. The section at issue, 18B-302, is entitled \u201cSale to or purchase by underage persons.\u201d The specific subsection being addressed in this case is entitled \u201cSale.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-302(a)(l). Furthermore, subsection (d) of 18B-302 provides statutory defenses for a \u201cseller\u201d of alcoholic beverages but no such defenses are indicated for a social host.\nIn 1983 this statute was amended by the legislature as part of an extensive modification of the statutes regulating alcoholic beverages and the related problems of intoxicated drivers. The Safe Roads Act includes the Dram Shop Act, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-120, et seq. This Act does allow a potential claim against the individual who sold or furnished the alcohol, but only against the \u201cpermittee\u201d or \u201cLocal Alcohol Beverage Control Board.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-121. It specifically excludes holders of Special Occasion Permits, Limited Special Occasion Permits, and Special One-Time Permits. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-125. These frequently include social hosts. An incongruous result of the majority opinion is that social hosts can insulate themselves by obtaining one of these special or limited permits.\nWords and phrases of a statute may not be interpreted out of context; rather, individual expressions must be interpreted as part of a composite whole, in a manner which harmonizes with the other provisions of the statute and which gives effect to the reason and purpose of the statute. Jolly v. Wright, 300 N.C. 83, 86, 265 S.E.2d 135, 137 (1980) (citations omitted). In the context of the statutory structure as a whole the prohibition against the providing of alcohol to a minor by \u201cany person\u201d in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-302 (a)(1), as well as the prohibition against aiding and abetting any minor in the possession of alcohol in section (c), are at best ambiguous in application to non-commercial social hosts. It is a longstanding rule of construction in this jurisdiction that criminal statutes are to be strictly construed against the state and any ambiguity is to be resolved in favor of a defendant. State v. Martin, 7 N.C. App. 532, 534, 173 S.E.2d 47, 48 (1970) (citations omitted). Where a statute does not apply for the purpose of criminal liability it cannot serve as the basis for liability in tort. See Hutchens v. Hankins, 63 N.C. App. 1, 16, 303 S.E.2d 584, 593-94 (1983).\nWhere a statute specifies the acts to which it applies, an intention to exclude all others from its operation may be inferred. Jolly v. Wright, 300 N.C. 83, 89, 265 S.E.2d 135, 140 (1980). In holding otherwise, the majority is extending the application of the statute to a class of persons to which the statute cannot clearly be held to apply. The rationale employed by the majority can be applied to extend liability to social hosts who serve alcoholic beverages to intoxicated adults under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-305(a), even though that statute is entitled \u201cSale to Intoxicated Person\u201d and applies to social hosts no more than any other statute of this section. In the absence of clear legislative intent, statutes imposing penalties should not be extended by judicial construction. Winston Salem Joint Venture v. City of Winston Salem, 54 N.C. App. 202, 205, 282 S.E.2d 509, 511 (1981).\nIn Skinner v. Whitley, 281 N.C. 476, 484, 189 S.E.2d 230, 235 (1972), in which the administrator for an unemancipated minor sought the abolition of parent-child immunity, a unanimous court held that \u201cpiecemeal abrogation of established law by judicial decree is like partial amputation, ordinarily unwise and usually unsuccessful.\u201d In the same opinion, the court said: \u201cthe simplest way to effectuate a change in the law is to enact a statute doing so. The courts have frequently said that the question of public policy is to be determined by the legislature and not by the court.\u201d Id.\nI agree entirely with the majority that it is reprehensible for anyone to give or sell alcoholic beverages to minors. I abhor the devastating loss of life attributable so patently to intoxication. But I am even more strongly of the opinion that the three branches of Government must be separately maintained in order to preserve the strength and independence of each. As Justice Huskins wrote in deciding Skinner v. Whitley, supra, \u201c[W]e think innovations upon the established law in this field should be accomplished prospectively by legislation rather than retroactively by judicial decree. Such changes may be accomplished more appropriately by legislation. . . . Certainly that course is much preferred over judicial piecemeal changes in a case by case approach.\u201d Id.\nIf I were Governor or in the legislature, I would build a platform and take my stand. While the majority opinion is a fine blueprint for legislation, this Court has no such authority.\nI would uphold the able trial judge.", "type": "dissent", "author": "Judge LEWIS" } ], "attorneys": [ "Olive-Monnett, P.A. & Associates, by Terry D. Brown, for plaintiff-appellants.", "Horack, Talley, Pharr & Lowndes, by Neil C. Williams, for defendant/third-party plaintiff-appellant John Dennis Little, Sr.", "Goodman, Carr, Nixon and Laughrun, by Michael P. Carr, for defendant/third-party plaintiff-appellant John Dennis Little, Jr.", "Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell & Hickman, by F. Fincher Jarrell, for defendants/third-party plaintiff-appellants John Dennis Little, Sr. and John Dennis Little, Jr.", "Golding, Meekins, Holden, Cosper & Stiles, by John G. Golding and Terry D. Horne, for defendant-appellee Howard L. Ivey, Jr.", "Hedrick, Eatman, Gardner & Kincheloe, by Scott M. Stevenson and John P. Barringer, for defendant-appellee John Rosenblatt.", "Jones, Hewson & Woolard, by Harry C. Hewson, for defendant-appellee David King.", "Underwood Kinsey & Warren, P.A., by C. Ralph Kinsey, Jr. and Richard L. Farley, for defendant-appellee David Howell." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "SANDRA L. HART and ROGER J. HART, Plaintiffs v. HOWARD L. IVEY, JR. and JOHN ROSENBLATT and DAVID KING and DAVID HOWELL and MIKE\u2019S DISCOUNT BEVERAGE, INC., Defendants and JOHN DENNIS LITTLE, JR. and JOHN DENNIS LITTLE, SR., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs v. HOWARD L. IVEY, JR., Third-Party Defendant\nNo. 8926SC1192\n(Filed 7 May 1991)\n1. Intoxicating Liquor \u00a7 24 (NCI3d)\u2014 furnishing alcohol to under-aged driver \u2014 liability of social host\nThe trial court erred by dismissing plaintiffs\u2019 claim under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) where plaintiffs alleged that John Little, Jr. had consumed beer while under age at a party hosted by defendants Ivey, Rosenblatt, King and Howell before driving across a double yellow line into plaintiff Sandra Hart\u2019s vehicle. The statutory scheme as set out in the present chapter 18B of the General Statutes prohibits any sale, possession or giving of alcohol or malt beverages to an underaged person or aiding and abetting the sale or possession whether by a legally licensed commercial vendor, the county bootlegger, or a neighbor down the street. Because plaintiffs are members of the class of persons Chapter 18B (a public safety statute) is intended to protect, a violation is negligence per se, and the facts in this case more than adequately set forth the proximate cause element of plaintiffs\u2019 claim for purposes of a Rule 12(b)(6) motion. Nothing in the Dram Shop Act would eliminate or abrogate other causes of action arising either statutorily or by common law. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-302(a), N.C.G.S. \u00a7 18B-121.\nAm Jur 2d, Intoxicating Liquors \u00a7\u00a7 553 et seq.\nSocial host\u2019s liability for injuries incurred by third parties as a result of intoxicated guest\u2019s negligence. 62 ALR4th 16.\n2. Intoxicating Liquor \u00a7 24 (NCI3d)\u2014 social host \u2014 alcohol furnished to underaged guests \u2014 no common law negligence\nPlaintiffs did not state a claim upon which relief could be granted under a common law theory of negligence where a social host provided beer to an underaged guest who subsequently drove across the centerline into plaintiffs. Our courts to date have not articulated any common law duty existing between a third party furnishing alcohol to underaged persons and the public at large.\nAm Jur 2d, Intoxicating Liquors \u00a7\u00a7 553 et seq.\nSocial host\u2019s liability for injuries incurred by third parties as a result of intoxicated guest\u2019s negligence. 62 ALR4th 16.\nJudge LEWIS dissenting.\nAPPEAL by plaintiffs, Sandra L. Hart and Roger J. Hart, from judgment entered 1 August 1989 by Judge Frank W. Snepp in MECKLENBURG County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 2 May 1990.\nAppeal by third-party plaintiffs, John Dennis Little, Jr. and John Dennis Little, Sr., from judgment entered 4 August 1989 by Judge Frank W. Snepp in Mecklenburg County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 2 May 1990.\nThe claims of plaintiffs and third-party plaintiffs were dismissed under Rule 12(b)(6) of the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted.\nOn 15 October 1986, plaintiffs filed a complaint (and subsequently filed an amended complaint) against John D. Little, Sr. and John D. Little, Jr. (hereinafter Little, Jr.) alleging that Little, Jr. had consumed beer at a party at the residence of Howard L. Ivey, Jr. (Ivey). The party was hosted by Ivey, John Rosenblatt (Rosenblatt), David King (King) and David Howell (Howell). Plaintiffs allege that defendants \u201ccharged all male guests . . . Two Dollars ($2.00) per person to drink beer.\u201d There are no allegations, however, that defendants were acting as \u201cvendors\u201d requiring a permit or license under the Alcohol Beverage Control statutes. All of the hosts and Little, Jr. were 18 years old at the time of the party, and therefore underage for purposes of possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-300 et seq. (1983).\nPlaintiffs alleged that Little, Jr. left the party and drove a vehicle (owned by Little, Sr.) under the influence of alcohol. Little, Jr. drove said vehicle across a double yellow line into the oncoming traffic, negligently colliding with plaintiff Sandra Hart\u2019s vehicle and causing substantial injuries to her.\nPlaintiffs\u2019 amended complaint included claims for damages against defendants Ivey, Rosenblatt, King and Howell for negligence in hosting the party and providing beer to Little, Jr., in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302, and against Mike\u2019s Discount Beverage, Inc., for negligence in selling beer to Ivey, Jr., Rosenblatt, King and Howell in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 18B-302. Defendants Little, Jr. and Little, Sr. also filed third-party actions for contribution against defendant Ivey based upon the same theories of negligence.\nDefendants moved to dismiss plaintiffs\u2019 claims under Rule 12(b)(6) of the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure. Such motions were granted in favor of Ivey, Rosenblatt, King and Howell on 1 August 1989. The trial court denied a similar motion by defendant Mike\u2019s Discount Beverage, Inc. Plaintiffs\u2019 negligence claim against Little, Jr. and Little, Sr. was unaffected by the trial court\u2019s ruling. The third-party complaints were dismissed on the same grounds on 4 August 1989. From the orders of 1 August 1989 and 4 August 1989, plaintiffs and third-party plaintiffs appeal.\nOlive-Monnett, P.A. & Associates, by Terry D. Brown, for plaintiff-appellants.\nHorack, Talley, Pharr & Lowndes, by Neil C. Williams, for defendant/third-party plaintiff-appellant John Dennis Little, Sr.\nGoodman, Carr, Nixon and Laughrun, by Michael P. Carr, for defendant/third-party plaintiff-appellant John Dennis Little, Jr.\nKennedy, Covington, Lobdell & Hickman, by F. Fincher Jarrell, for defendants/third-party plaintiff-appellants John Dennis Little, Sr. and John Dennis Little, Jr.\nGolding, Meekins, Holden, Cosper & Stiles, by John G. Golding and Terry D. Horne, for defendant-appellee Howard L. Ivey, Jr.\nHedrick, Eatman, Gardner & Kincheloe, by Scott M. Stevenson and John P. Barringer, for defendant-appellee John Rosenblatt.\nJones, Hewson & Woolard, by Harry C. Hewson, for defendant-appellee David King.\nUnderwood Kinsey & Warren, P.A., by C. Ralph Kinsey, Jr. and Richard L. Farley, for defendant-appellee David Howell." }, "file_name": "0583-01", "first_page_order": 613, "last_page_order": 627 }