Petition by defendant (Travelers Casualty) for discretionary review pursuant to G.S. 7A-31 allowed 5 November 1998. Petition by defendants (Johnson and Parker) for discretionary review pursuant to G.S. 7A-31 allowed 5 November 1998. Petition by defendants (Faison and Lassiter) for discretionary review pursuant to G.S. 7A-31 allowed 5 November 1998.