{ "id": 8630558, "name": "MARTHA JOSEPHINE O. SEBASTIAN, Executrix, v. HORTON MOTOR LINES", "name_abbreviation": "Sebastian v. Horton Motor Lines", "decision_date": "1938-06-15", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "770", "last_page": "775", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "213 N.C. 770" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "158 S. E., 840", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "201 N. C., 51", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8622186 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/201/0051-01" ] }, { "cite": "170 S. E., 629", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "205 N. C., 205", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627640 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/205/0205-01" ] }, { "cite": "177 S. E., 170", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "207 N. C., 378", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626193 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/207/0378-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 S. E., 631", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 129", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624992 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0129-01" ] }, { "cite": "140 S. E., 732", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "194 N. C., 745", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8618544 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/194/0745-01" ] }, { "cite": "186 S. E., 320", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "210 N. C., 293", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626029 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/210/0293-01" ] }, { "cite": "166 S. E., 802", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "203 N. C., 675", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8618747 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/203/0675-01" ] }, { "cite": "191 S. E., 331", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 639", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628492 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0639-01" ] }, { "cite": "104 S. E., 684", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "180 N. C., 274", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653547 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/180/0274-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 S. E., 237", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "194 N. C., 210", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8601336 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/194/0210-01" ] }, { "cite": "153 S. E., 155", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 N. C., 682", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8618022 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/198/0682-01" ] }, { "cite": "156 S. E., 508", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "200 N. C., 177", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8618024 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/200/0177-01" ] }, { "cite": "212 N. C., 412", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8611957 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/212/0412-01" ] }, { "cite": "111 S. E., 776", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "183 N. C., 438", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656651 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/183/0438-01" ] }, { "cite": "153 S. E., 318", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 N. C., 741", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8619651 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/198/0741-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 S. E., 73", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "205 N. C., 269", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628212 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/205/0269-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 668, "char_count": 13269, "ocr_confidence": 0.491, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.892303921199404e-07, "percentile": 0.9526698274687057 }, "sha256": "6a4a73ac32d0d6792af044bcfd4545cf6c861a95c007994d040d1d34bb14a6a8", "simhash": "1:9d6ecd7a76885a3b", "word_count": 2322 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:08:52.368812+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "MARTHA JOSEPHINE O. SEBASTIAN, Executrix, v. HORTON MOTOR LINES." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Stacy, C. J.\nThere are a number of exceptions appearing on the record, but we deem it unnecessary to consider them seriatim as rulings upon the following will suffice to dispose of the present appeal.\nFirst: Was it error for the court to instruct the jury that if the driver of defendant\u2019s truck failed to stop at the \u201cS T O P\u201d sign on Benbow Road before entering the intersection with Washington Street, a through highway, \u201cunder the law that would be negligence per se, or negligence in itself\u201d? The law as presently written answers the question in the affirmative.\nIt is provided by ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, sec. 120, that the State Highway Commission with reference to State highways, and local authorities with reference to highways under their jurisdiction, may designate main traveled or through highways by erecting at the entrance thereto, from intersecting highways, signs notifying drivers of vehicles to come to a full stop before entering or crossing such designated highway, \u201cand whenever any such signs have been so erected it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto. That no failure so to stop, however, shall be considered contributory negligence per se in any action at law for injury to person or property; but the facts relating to such failure to stop may be considered with the other facts in the case in determining whether the plaintiff in such action was guilty of contributory negligence.\u201d\nIf the failure to come to a full stop before entering or crossing a through highway in obedience to any such sign duly erected is not to be considered contributory negligence per se on the part of a plaintiff in any action at law for injury to person or property, but only evidence of such negligence, we think it follows as a necessary corollary or as the rationale of the statute, that where the party charged is a defendant in any such action, the failure so to stop is not to be considered negligence per se, but only evidence thereof to be considered with other facts in the case in determining whether the defendant in such action is guilty of negligence. 1937 Supp. to N. C. Code of 1935 (Michie), sec. 2621 (305); Keller v. R. R., 205 N. C., 269, 171 S. E., 73. Indeed, it may not be inappropriate to say that in an action at law for injury to person or property, the plaintiff therein becomes defendant, pro hac vice, upon the issue of contributory negligence. There is really no distinction, or essential difference, between negligence in the plaintiff and negligence in the defendant, except that in an action like the present, the negligence of the plaintiff is called contributory negligence. Liske v. Walton, 198 N. C., 741, 153 S. E., 318. The criterion for establishing both is the same. Moore v. Iron Works, 183 N. C., 438, 111 S. E., 776. The same standard applies alike to both. Pearson v. Luther, 212 N. C., 412. Hence, according to the rule of equality, if a given act is not to be regarded as contributory negligence per se on the part of a plaintiff in any action at law for injury to person or property, the same act ought not to be regarded as negligence per se on the part of a defendant in any such action. See Smith v. R. R., 200 N. C., 177, 156 S. E., 508; S. v. Satterfield, 198 N. C., 682, 153 S. E., 155; Weston v. R. R., 194 N. C., 210, 139 S. E., 237; Kimbrough v. Hines, 180 N. C., 274, 104 S. E., 684. Nothing was said in Headen v. Transportation Co., 211 N. C., 639, 191 S. E., 331, which militates against this position. The question presently presented was not raised in the Headen case, supra. The rulings there are accordant herewith.\nIt will be observed that this exception is not concerned with section 103 of the Motor Yehicle Law, ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, which deals with speed restrictions and prima facie evidence arising from speeds in excess' of the restrictions therein set out. Woods v. Freeman, ante, 314.\nSecond: Is there error in the instruction, \u201caccording to this table of mortality . . . the age of Dr. Sebastian being 61 years, . . . his expectancy is 13,5 years\u201d? It is not perceived wherein the instruction here challenged differs from the one held to be erroneous in Hubbard v. R. R., 203 N. C., 675, 166 S. E., 802, or the one disapproved in Trust Co. v. Greyhound Lines, 210 N. C., 293, 186 S. E., 320.\nIn the instant case, the court made definitive the age of the deceased, as well as his expectancy, and thus expressed an opinion as to the sufficiency of the proof of both facts. This runs counter to C. S., 564, which prohibits the judge from expressing any opinion as to \u201cwhether a fact is fully or sufficiently proven.\u201d Cogdill v. Hardwood Co., 194 N. C., 745, 140 S. E., 732. The instruction was calculated appreciably to augment the recovery, which it undoubtedly did.\nThird: Is there error in the instruction given in response to a request from the jury, that Dr. Sebastian \u201chad a right to assume that any person operating a motor vehicle on Benbow Road would come to a stop before entering Washington Avenue\u201d?\nIn the circumstances of the case, we are constrained to think that this instruction may have misled the jury in its consideration of the second issue.\nIt is true, there are expressions in a number of cases seemingly in support of the charge, notably Hancock v. Wilson, 211 N. C., 129, 189 S. E., 631; Jones v. Bagwell, 207 N. C., 378, 177 S. E., 170; Cory v. Cory, 205 N. C., 205, 170 S. E., 629; and Shirley v. Ayers, 201 N. C., 51, 158 S. E., 840, and ordinarily the instruction might not be objectionable, but here, there is evidence tending to show that the truck \u201chad nearly passed through the intersection\u201d before the deceased reached it, and then be undertook to pass in front of tbe moving truck by turning to bis left. Powers v. Sternberg, ante, 41. Wbetber tbis was in keeping witb tbe exigencies of tbe occasion should bave been submitted to tbe jury on tbe issue of contributory negligence. Meacham v. R. R., ante, 609.\nNotwithstanding Dr. Sebastian\u2019s right to expect compliance witb tbe law on tbe part of tbe driver of defendant\u2019s truck, Quinn v. R. R., ante, 48, still tbis did not lessen bis own obligation to conform to tbe rule of tbe reasonably prudent man, which was still required of him. Meacham v. R. R., supra; Powers v. Sternberg, supra.\nTbe case is an important one. Both sides are greatly interested in tbe result. A painstaking investigation of tbe record leaves us witb tbe impression that tbe above instructions, assigned as errors, weighed too heavily against tbe defendant.\nNew trial.", "type": "majority", "author": "Stacy, C. J." } ], "attorneys": [ "R. R. King, Jr., 8. B. Adams, and Moseley \u25a0& Holt for plaintiff, appellee.", "Cochran & McCleneghan and Sapp & Sapp for defendant, appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "MARTHA JOSEPHINE O. SEBASTIAN, Executrix, v. HORTON MOTOR LINES.\n(Filed 15 June, 1938.)\n1. Automobiles \u00a7 12e \u2014 Failure to stop before entering through street intersection is not negligence per se.\nThe failure of defendant\u2019s driver to come to a complete stop before entering a through street intersection is not negligence per se, but only evidence of negligence to be considered with other facts in the case, such holding being a necessary corollary to the provision of ch. 407, Public Laws of 1937, sec. 120; N. C. Code, 2621 (305), that failure to stop before entering a through street intersection should not be considered contributory negligence per se, but only evidence to be considered with the other facts in the case upon the issue of contributory negligence.\n2. Negligence \u00a7\u00a7 1, 11\u2014\nThere is no essential difference between negligence and contributory negligence; contributory negligence being merely the negligence of the plaintiff, who becomes defendant, pro hae vice, upon the issue of contributory negligence.\n3. Death \u00a7 8 \u2014 Court may not instruct jury what the age of testate was or that his life expectancy was a stated number of years.\nIn an action for wrongful death, an instruction that, according to the mortuary table, testate\u2019s age being a stated number of years, his life expectancy was a certain number of years, is error as being an expression of opinion by the court as to the sufficiency of the proof of the fact of age and the life expectancy, contrary to C. S., 564.\n4. Automobiles \u00a7 12e \u2014 While motorist may assume that others will stop before entering through street intersection, he must use due care for own safety.\nWhile a motorist traveling along a through street may assume that other motorists will stop before entering the intersection from a side street, he remains under duty to conform to the rule of the reasonably prudent man, and an instruction that intestate, who was driving along the through street, had a right to assume that defendant\u2019s truck would stop before entering the intersection from a side street, is held erroneous for failing to further instruct the jury on the issue of contributory negligence as to whether intestate acted with due care in keeping with the exigencies of the occasion upon evidence that the truck had almost passed through the intersection before intestate reached same, and that intestate, notwithstanding, attempted to pass in front of the truck.\nAppeal by defendant from Bivens, J., at February Term, 1938, of Guilpoed.\nCivil action to recover damages for death of plaintiff\u2019s testator, alleged to have been caused by the wrongful act, default or neglect of the defendant.\nPlaintiff\u2019s husband and testator, Dr. S. P. Sebastian, was killed in the early morning of 24 June, 1937, at the intersection of Benbow Road and Washington Street, Greensboro, N. 0., when defendant\u2019s truck and trailer, driven by J. S. Poteat, collided with the Plymouth coupe operated by the deceased.\nIt is in evidence that by ordinance of the city of Greensboro, passed pursuant to authority contained in the Motor Vehicle Law, \u201cWashington Street from Macon Street to McConnell Road\u201d was designated a \u201cThrough Highway\u201d with a lawful rate of speed not exceeding thirty miles an hour, and that upon the surface of the traveled portion of Benbow Road immediately before entering the intersection with Washington Street is the word \u201cS T 0 P\u201d in large letters painted upon the ground.\nThe evidence is conflicting as to the speed of both vehicles when they entered the intersection. The defendant\u2019s driver testified: \u201cWhen entering that intersection I slowed my truck down to almost a standstill and placed it in second gear and looked in both directions. ... I did not see anything. ... I would not say I came to a complete stop, but almost. At the time I entered the intersection I was not traveling over six or eight miles an hour. . . . \"When I was almost across the street this car came running right in front of me. I cut slightly to the right and his rear fender and wheel hung the left-hand side of my bumper.\u201d\nThere is other evidence that the truck entered the intersection around 30 or 40 miles an hour and that it was running too fast to stop.\nThe speed of Dr. Sebastian\u2019s car is variously estimated from 10 or 15 to 40 miles an hour. \u201cIt looked like it turned to the left and tried to get in front of the truck. ... It did not stop. It looked like it tried to go in front of the truck. In fact, he did try to get in front of the truck. . . . The truck was going south and it was on its right-hand side of the street. It had nearly passed through the intersection. It lacked 1 or 8 feet of having passed through. Dr. Sebastian pulled his car to his left.\u201d\nThe following excerpt from the charge forms the basis of one of defendant\u2019s exceptive assignments of error:\n\u201cThe court charges you that if you are satisfied by the greater weight or preponderance of the evidence that the driver of this truck failed to stop at this \u2018Stop\u2019 sign and entered this intersection, that under the law that would be negligence per se, or negligence in itself.\u201d\nAgain, in respect of the mortuary table, the jury was instructed as follows: \u201cThe court charges you that his expectancy according to this table of mortality, as read to you by the court, the age of Dr. Sebastian being 61 years, that his expectancy is 13.5 years.\u201d Exception. The court had previously instructed the jury: \u201cYou have a right to consider this statute in making up your verdict, but you are not bound by it.\u201d\nThe following instruction, given in response to a request from the jury, is also assigned as error:\nJuror: \u201cThere is one point of law, I believe, the jury is not entirely clear on, and that is the question of whether or not Dr. Sebastian in approaching this intersection had a right to assume from the fact that there was a \u2018Stop\u2019 sign on Benbow Boad that this truck would stop before entering the intersection, and just what right that assumption would give him.\u201d\nThe Court: \u201cGentlemen of the jury, this being a street designated by the statute or ordinance of the city of Greensboro as a stop street, any person operating a motor vehicle on Washington Street had a right to assume that any person operating a motor vehicle on Benbow Boad would come to a stop before entering Washington Avenue.\u201d\nThe usual issues of negligence, contributory negligence and damages were submitted to the jury and answered in favor of the plaintiff, the damages being assessed at $28,500.\nFrom judgment on the verdict, the defendant appeals, assigning errors.\nR. R. King, Jr., 8. B. Adams, and Moseley \u25a0& Holt for plaintiff, appellee.\nCochran & McCleneghan and Sapp & Sapp for defendant, appellant." }, "file_name": "0770-01", "first_page_order": 834, "last_page_order": 839 }