I N THE COURT OF APPEALS FILED October 9, 1997 Cecil Crowson, Jr. Appellate C ourt Clerk HORACE A. La RUE a nd CARLA La RUE, ) KNOX CI RCUI T Pa r e n t s a nd ne xt of ki n of ) C. A. No. 03A01- 9702- CV- 0005 3 RANDALL CHARLES La RUE, d e c e a s e d, ) ) ) Pl a i nt i f f s - Appe l l a nt s ) ) ) ) ) ) vs . ) HON. W HEELER A. ROSENBALM ) J UDGE ) ) ) ) ) 8 1 7 LAKE I NCORPORATED, d / b/ a ) AFFI RMED I N PART, BONKERS, HOW ARD R. TANNENBAUM , ) REVERSED I N PART RI CKY CHAM BERS, ROBERT ARCHER, ) AND REM ANDED. a n d DANNY G. BREW ER, ) ) De f e nda nt s - Appe l l e e s )

W LLI AM A.

I SI M S, M Ar ne t t , Dr a pe r & Ha good, Knoxvi l l e , f or App e l - l a nt .

RI CHARD W BAKER, J R. , Gi l r e a t h . & As s oc i a t e s , Kn o xvi l l e , f or Ap p e l l e e , Da nny G. Br e we r .

CAROL A. BEELER f or Appe l l e e , Pe r ma ne nt Ge ne r a l Compa ni e s , I nc .

DOUGLAS L. DUTTON, Hodge s , Dought y & Ca r s on, Knoxvi l l e , f or Ap p e l l e e , M r yl a nd Ca s ua l t y I ns ur a nc e Co. a J AM ES Y. REED, J e n k i n s & J e nki ns , Knoxvi l l e , f or Appe l l e e , Ri c k y Ch a mb e r s .

O P I N I O N

M M r a y, J u d g e c ur

Thi s c a s e a r i s e s f r om a mot or c yc l e a c c i de nt i n whi c h Ra n d y La Ru e , t he 20- ye a r ol d s on of t he pl a i nt i f f s , wa s ki l l e d.

Pl a i nt i f f s s ue d 1817 La ke , I nc . d/ b/ a Bonke r s , a Knoxvi l l e r e s t a u r a nt a nd ba r , a nd Ho wa r d Ta nne nba um, pr e s i de nt of 1817 La k e I nc . , a l l e gi ng t ha t t he de f e nda nt s ne gl i ge nt l y a nd unl a wf u l l y s e r v e d Ra ndy a nd hi s c ompa ni on, de f e nda nt Da nny Br e we r , a l c oho l i c b e ve r a ge s on t he e ve ni ng of t he a c c i de nt . Pl a i nt i f f s a l s o s u e d Ro b e r t Ar c he r , t he ba r t e n de r who a l l e ge dl y pr ovi de d La Rue a nd Br e we r wi t h t he dr i nks , a n d Ri c ky Cha mbe r s , t he door ma n on dut y a t Bo n k e r s t ha t ni ght . The r e ma i ni ng de f e nda nt , Da nny G. Br e we r wa s t he o p e r a t or of t he mot or c yc l e a t t he t i me of t he a c c i d e nt wh i c h r e s u l t e d i n Ra nda l l Cha r l e s La Rue ' s de a t h.

The c a s e pr oc e e de d t o t r i a l be f or e a j ur y. At t he c l os e of p l a i nt i f f s ' p r oof , h owe ve r , t h e t r i a l c our t di r e c t e d a ve r di c t i n f a vor of al l t he de f e nda nt s a nd di s mi s s e d t he c ompl a i nt . Th i s a ppe a l r e s ul t e d. W a f f i r m t he c our t ' s r ul i ng a s t o t he " dr a m e s h o p " d e f e nda nt s a nd r e ve r s e t he di r e c t e d ve r di c t i n f a vor of Da n n y Br e we r , t he dr i ve r of t he mot or c yc l e .

On Oc t obe r 26, 1992, Ra ndy La Rue a nd Da nny Br e we r pl a ye d g o l f i n t h e mor ni ng a nd e a r l y a f t e r noon. Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t t he y b o u g h t a 12- pa c k of be e r on t he wa y a nd whi l e pl a yi ng, e a c h of t h e m d r a n k f our or f i ve . The y pl a ye d f r om a bout 10: 00 a . m. unt i l 2 : 0 0 i n t h e a f t e r noon. On t he wa y ba c k t he y we nt t o a l i quor s t or e a n d bought a bot t l e of c he a p wi ne c a l l e d Ci s c o, a n d s pl i t it wh i l e " d r i v i n g a r ound. " Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t t he y e nde d up a t La Rue ' s h o u s e b e t we e n 4: 15 a nd 5: 00 p. m. a nd a t e di nne r t he r e .

W i l e a t t he La Rue hous e , t he y s poke wi t h Pa m Va nde r gr i f f , wh o h wa s c l e a ni ng t he hous e . She t e s t i f i e d t h a t ne i t he r one of t h e m a pp e a r e d t o be d r u n k o r u nde r t he i nf l ue nc e of a l c ohol a nd t h a t " t h e y j us t s e e me d t o be j u s t nor ma l guys . " She di d not s e e e i t h e r o f t h e m dr i nk a ny be e r whi l e t he y we r e t he r e . Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t h a t h e ha d a c up of be e r a t t he La Rue hous e .

Af t e r l e a vi ng La Rue ' s hous e , t he y ma de t wo br i e f s t ops , on e a t a f r i e n d' s hous e a nd a not he r a t Br e we r ' s hous e . At Br e we r ' s hous e , t he y d e c i de d to t a ke Br e we r ' s Suz uki mot or c yc l e to Bonke r s .

Bo n k e r s is a r e s t a ur a nt a nd ba r on t ha t por t i on of Cumbe r l a n d Av e n u e , i n c l os e pr oxi mi t y t o t he Uni ve r s i t y of Te nne s s e e c a mpu s , k n o wn a s " t he s t r i p. " Re s p ondi ng t o t he que s t i on of whe t he r he wa s u n d e r t he i nf l ue nc e of a n i nt oxi c a nt be f or e t he y got t o Bonke r s , Br e we r r e pl i e d, " I ha d a s l i ght buz z , but I wa s no t i nt oxi c a t e d d r u n k , no. "

The y a r r i v e d a t Bonke r s be f or e i t s r e gul a r ope ni ng hour a n d we r e a l l owe d t o e nt e r . Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t t he door ma n, Cha mbe r s , l e t t h e m i n, but bot h Cha mbe r s a nd t he ba r t e nde r , Ar c he r , t e s t i f i e d t ha t i t wa s Ar c he r who ope ne d t he door f or t he m. I t i s undi s pu t e d t ha t n o one a s ke d e i t he r Ra ndy La Rue or Br e we r f or a ge i de nt i f i c a - t i on n o r di d a nyone s t a mp t he i r ha nds wi t h a de s i gna t i on of e i t h e r u n d e r o r ove r 21 ye a r s of a ge , whi c h wa s Bonke r s ' nor ma l pol i c y .

The wi t ne s s e s ' s t or i e s di ve r ge c ons i de r a bl y a t t hi s poi n t .

Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t he a nd Ra ndy s a t down a t t he ba r , a nd Ar c h e r s e r v e d t he m a pi t c he r o f be e r . Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t t o t he be s t o f h i s k nowl e dge , Ar c he r g a ve t he m t he dr i nks t he y ha d t ha t ni g h t , b e c a us e Ar c he r wa s a f r i e nd of Ra ndy La Rue . Br e we r di d not pa y f o r a ny d r i n ks , a nd he s a i d t ha t he di d not s e e Ra ndy p a y f or a ny e i t h e r , a l t hough he c oul dn' t be c ompl e t e l y s ur e whe t he r he di d o r not . At one poi nt i n hi s t e s t i mony, Br e we r s a i d he t hought t h a t t he y d r a nk be t we e n one a nd t hr e e pi t c he r s , a nd pr oba bl y one a pi e c e , a nd a t a not he r poi nt he s a i d he t hought he ha d dr unk 10 or 12 be e r s a t Bo n k e r s .

Ar c he r t e s t i f i e d t ha t a f t e r t he y we r e a dmi t t e d, t h e y r e que s t e d t o b e s e r ve d, a nd Ar c he r r e f us e d be c a us e t he y we r e not " o f a ge . " Ra n d y La Rue t he n t ol d Ar c he r not t o wor r y be c a us e Br e we r ha d a f a k e I . D. , a nd Ar c he r r e pl i e d t ha t i t di dn' t ma t t e r . Ar c he r t e s t i f i e d t ha t l a t e r h e n ot i c e d t ha t t he t wo we r e s i t t i ng wi t h s ome f r i e n d s t h a t h a d bought a pi t c he r , a nd t he y ha d gl a s s e s a nd we r e dr i nk i n g f r o m t h e pi t c he r . Ar c he r s t a t e d t ha t a l t hough he kne w bot h La Ru e a nd Br e we r we r e unde r 21, he di d not hi ng a bout t he m s ha r i ng dr i n k s f r om t he pi t c he r . Ar c he r t e s t i f i e d t ha t he t hought t he y we r e dr u n k whe n t h e y got t he r e , a nd n o mor e dr unk whe n t he y l e f t . Howe v e r , p l a i nt i f f s i nt r oduc e d Ar c he r ' s s i gne d s t a t e me nt t o pol i c e i nve s t i - g a t o r Tom Pr e s s l e y, i n whi c h Ar c he r s t a t e d, " I don' t know wha t t he y h a d b e f or e t he y c a me i n he r e , but I don' t t hi nk t he y we r e dr un k . "

La Rue a nd Br e we r we r e a t Bonke r s f or a l i t t l e ove r a n h o u r .

Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t a s t he y we r e l e a vi ng, Ar c he r ga ve hi m a Cr o wn Ro y a l a n d c oke , s a yi ng, " he r e ' s o n e f or t he r oa d, guys . " Br e we r s t a t e d t ha t he " s l a mme d" t he dr i nk j us t be f or e l e a vi ng.

La Rue br i e f l y c onve r s e d wi t h Cha mbe r s a s h e wa s l e a vi ng a n d wh i l e Br e we r , who ha d a l r e a dy e xi t e d, wa s s i t t i ng on hi s mot or c y - cl e. Ch a mbe r s t e s t i f i e d t h a t he wa s ve r y c onc e r ne d t ha t Br e we r wa s dr unk, b e c a us e hi s e ye s we r e r e d a n d gl a s s y a nd " h e wa s a c t i n g wi l d . " He s t a t e d t ha t h e e xpr e s s e d c onc e r n t o La Rue a bout ge t t i n g o n t h e mot or c yc l e wi t h Br e we r , a nd t r i e d t o pe r s ua de hi m not t o d o s o a n d of f e r e d t o f i nd hi m a not he r r i de . Cha mbe r s t e s t i f i e d t h a t Ra n d y La Rue di d not a ppe a r dr unk a t t he t i me , a nd t ha t he c oul d n ' t t el l t ha t a nyt hi ng wa s wr o n g wi t h hi m. La Rue ' s l as t wor ds to Ch a mb e r s we r e , " Ri c k, i f I di dn' t t hi nk he we r e c a pa bl e of dr i v i n g i t , I woul dn' t ge t on i t . " Bot h Ar c he r a nd Cha mbe r s t e s t i f i e d t ha t t he y wi t ne s s e d t he t wo l e a vi ng, a nd t ha t t he y we r e he a de d e a s t , t owa r d downt own a nd t h e a c c i d e nt s i t e wi t h Br e we r dr i vi ng. Br e we r t e s t i f i e d t ha t be f o r e t h e a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d t he y he a de d we s t , a nd s t oppe d a t a f r i e n d ' s h o u s e o n Conc or d St r e e t t o pi c k up a vi de o ga me .

The a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d on t he M i n Ave nue r a mp i n downt o wn a Kn o x v i l l e , be t we e n 9: 15 a nd 9: 30 p. m. , a l mos t i mme di a t e l y a f t e r t he t wo l e f t Bonke r s . The mot or c yc l e s t r uc k t he r i ght s i de of a g u a r d r a i l a s t h e y we r e e xi t i ng t he r a mp. No ot he r ve hi c l e s we r e i n v o l v e d. Ra ndy La Rue wa s t hr own be t we e n 30 a nd 40 f e e t f r om t h e mo t o r c y c l e , s us t a i ne d a ma s s i ve he a d i nj ur y a nd ne ve r r e g a i ne d c o n s c i o us ne s s .

Fi r s t on t he s c e ne wa s M . J i m He nde r s on, a n e mpl oye e of t h e r Kn o x Co unt y She r i f f ' s De pa r t me nt who wa s t he n of f dut y a nd t r a v e l i ng wi t h hi s wi f e . He s t oppe d hi s c a r a nd a s s i s t e d Br e we r , who ha d s us t a i n e d a s e r i ous l eg i nj ur y but wa s c ons c i o u s .

He n d e r s on a s ke d Br e we r wha t ha ppe ne d a nd he s a i d " t ha t t he y h a d c a me o f f t he hi l l at M i n St r e e t a goi ng t oo f a s t a nd he ha d l o s t c ont r ol . " M . Tr i c i a Ammo n s , s a pa r a me di c , t e s t i f i e d t ha t Br e we r t ol d he r a t t he s c e ne t ha t h e " wa s dr i vi ng a l i t t l e t oo f a s t a n d h e l o s t c o nt r ol a nd wr e c ke d. "

At t he t i me of t he a c c i de nt , Br e we r ' s bl ood a l c ohol l e ve l wa s d e t e r mi ne d t o be 0. 21, a nd La Rue ' s wa s me a s ur e d a t 0. 10. Br e we r l a t e r p l e d gui l t y t o a c ha r ge of c r i mi na l l y ne gl i ge nt homi c i de .

I.

The f i r s t i s s ue we wi l l a ddr e s s i s t he pr opr i e t y of t he t r i a l c o u r t ' s a c t i on i n di r e c t i ng a ve r di c t i n f a vor of t he " dr a m s h o p " d e f e n d a nt s , i . e. , al l t ho s e de f e nda nt s t ha t we r e a l l e ge d t o be n e g l i g e nt i n pr ovi di ng a l c ohol t o La Rue a nd Br e we r . As t he pa r t i e s r e c og n i z e , our a na l ys i s i s gove r ne d by T. C. A. §§ 57- 10- 101 a nd 10 2 , wh i c h s t a t e :

57- 10- 101. Pr ox i m e c aus e . at — The ge ne r a l a s s e mbl y h e r e by f i nds a nd de c l a r e s t ha t t he c ons umpt i on of a ny a l c ohol i c b e ve r a ge or be e r r a t he r t ha n t he f ur ni s hi ng of a ny a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r i s t he pr oxi ma t e c a us e of i nj ur i e s i nf l i c t e d upon a not he r by a n i nt oxi c a t e d pe r s on.

57- 10- 102. St andar d of Pr oof . — Not wi t hs t a ndi ng t he p r ovi s i ons of § 57- 10- 101, no j udge or j ur y ma y pr onounc e a j udgme nt a wa r di ng da ma ge s t o or on be ha l f of a ny pa r t y who ha s s uf f e r e d pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h a ga i ns t a ny p e r s on who ha s s ol d a ny a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r , u n l e s s s uc h j ur y of t we l ve ( 12) pe r s ons ha s f i r s t a s c e r t a i ne d be yond a r e a s on a b l e doubt t ha t t he s a l e by s uc h p e r s on of t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r wa s t he p r oxi ma t e c a us e of t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h s us t a i ne d a n d t ha t s uc h pe r s on: ( 1) Sol d t h e a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r t o a pe r s on known t o be unde r t he a ge of t we nt y- one ( 21) ye a r s a nd s uc h pe r s on c a us e d t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h a s t he di r e c t r e s ul t of t he c ons umpt i on of t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r s o s ol d; or

( 2) Sol d t h e a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge or be e r t o a n obvi ous l y i nt oxi c a t e d pe r s on a nd s uc h pe r s on c a us e d t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y or de a t h a s t he di r e c t r e s ul t of t he c ons umpt i on of t he a l c ohol i c be ve r a g e o r be e r s o s ol d.

I t s e e ms q ui t e c l e a r t ha t f or T. C. A. § 57- 10- 102 t o a ppl y, t h e p l a i nt i f f s mus t pr ove be yond a r e a s ona bl e doubt t ha t t he de f e nda n t s " s ol d " a n a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge t o La Rue a nd Br e we r . The s t a t ut e i n e a c h a nd e ve r y i ns t a nc e r e qui r e s a s a l e be f or e l i a bi l i t y c a n b e i mp o s e d . The r e i s no di r e c t e vi de nc e nor e v i d e n c e i n t he r e c or d f r o m wh i c h a n i nf e r e nc e c a n r e a s ona bl y be dr a wn, t ha t t he r e wa s a s a l e t o e i t he r Br e we r or La Rue by t he " dr a m s hop" de f e nda n t s .

Pl a i nt i f f s a r gue , howe ve r , t ha t t he s t a t ut e s houl d not be c ons t r u e d a s t o r e qui r e a " s a l e " of a l c ohol t o a mi nor or obvi ous l y i nt o x i - c a t e d p e r s on. The y a r gue t ha t , be c a us e of publ i c pol i c y a ga i n s t f u r n i s h i ng a l c ohol t o mi nor s , a s howi ng be yond a r e a s ona bl e do u b t t ha t a d e f e nda nt " f ur ni s he d" a l c ohol t o a pe r s on unde r 21 s houl d b e e n o u g h t o a l l ow a j ur y t o d e c i d e whe t he r t he f ur ni s hi ng wa s t h e p r o x i ma t e c a us e of a n a c c i de nt . W mos t r e s pe c t f ul l y di s a gr e e . e We s houl d f i r s t not e t ha t it i s wi t hi n t he p r ovi nc e o f t h e Ge n e r a l As s e mb l y t o e s t a bl i s h a nd pr oc l a i m publ i c pol i c y. The Supr e me Co u r t i n W t s on v. Cl e ve l a nd Cha i r Co, 789 S. W 2d 538 ( Te nn. 198 9 ) , a . ma d e t h e f ol l owi ng obs e r va t i ons :

A de f i n i t i ve s t a t e me nt on t he a ut hor i t y of t he c o ur t s t o de t e r mi ne publ i c pol i c y c a n be f ound i n Na s hvi l l e Ry. a nd Li ght Co. v. La ws on, 144 Te nn. 78, 91,

The Ge ne r a l As s e mbl y ha s una mbi guous l y de c l a r e d t he pub l i c p o l i c y wi t h r e ga r d t o t he f ur ni s hi ng of a l c ohol t o pe r s ons un d e r t he a ge of 21 a s i t r e l a t e s t o " d r a m s hops . " W a r e not a t l i be r t y e t o h o l d ot he r wi s e . Ac c o r di ngl y, i n t he a bs e nc e of e vi de nc e o f a s a l e , t h e t r i a l c our t wa s c or r e c t i n di r e c t i ng a ve r di c t i n f a v o r o f t h e " dr a m s hop" de f e nda nt s .

II.

Af t e r di r e c t i ng ve r di c t s f or t he dr a m s hop de f e nda nt s , t he t r i a l c our t f ound, a s t o t he r e ma i ni ng de f e nda nt , t ha t r e a s ona b l e mi n d s c oul d r e a c h o n l y o n e c onc l us i on — t ha t La Rue wa s a t l east f i f t y p e r c e nt a t f a ul t f or hi s de a t h, whe n c ompa r e d wi t h t he f a ul t o f Br e we r . W mus t di s a gr e e . e Al t hough t hi s i s a dmi t t e dl y a c l os e q u e s t i o n, we f i nd t h e t r i a l c our t s houl d ha ve a l l owe d i t t o be d e c i d e d by t he j ur y.

As t he p l a i nt i f f p oi nt s out , t h e f a c t s of t hi s c a s e a r e v e r y s i mi l a r t o t hos e i n Si l c ox v. Cof f e e , 1 9 9 3 W 350134 ( Te nn.

L Ap p .

Se p t . 15, 1 993) . In Si l c ox, t he pl a i nt i f f wa s ki l l e d in an a u t o mo b i l e a c c i de nt a f t e r bot h he a nd t he de f e nda nt dr i ve r ha d b e e n d r i n k i n g he a vi l y. The de f e nda nt ' s bl ood a l c ohol l e ve l wa s 0. 39 a n d p l a i nt i f f ' s wa s 0. 37. I d. a t **1. The c our t s t a t e d t he f ol l owi n g :

Our i nqui r y i s whe t he r vi e wi ng t he e vi de nc e i n t he p l a i nt i f f ' s f a vor , t he e vi de nc e c a n r e a s ona bl y s uppor t a c o nc l us i o n t ha t [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] de c i s i on t o r i de wi t h a n i nt oxi c a t e d dr i ve r di d not a c c ount f or 50 pe r c e nt or mor e o f t he pr oxi ma t e c a us e of hi s de a t h. The r e a s ona bl e ne s s o f a p l a i nt i f f ' s d e c i s i on t o e nc ount e r t hi s r i s k i s a f a c t ua l de t e r mi na t i on t o be de t e r mi ne d by t he t r i e r of f a c t . . . I n t he c a s e a t ba r , t h e j ur y de t e r mi ne d t ha t [ p l a i nt i f f ' s ] de a t h wa s c a us e d 40 pe r c e nt by hi s o wn n e gl i ge nc e . Thi s c onc l us i on ne c e s s a r i l y i nvol ve s a c o ns i de r a t i on of t he r e a s ona bl e ne s s of [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] d e c i s i on t o r i de wi t h t he de f e nda nt . The r e i s a mpl e e v i de nc e t o s uppor t t ha t [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] de c i s i on t o r i de wi t h de f e nda nt wa s un r e a s ona bl e . W c a nnot s a y, howe ve r , e t h a t t he e vi de nc e doe s not e s t a bl i s h a ba s i s f r om whi c h t he j ur y c oul d ha ve c o nc l ude d t ha t [ pl a i nt i f f ' s ] de c i s i on a c c ount e d f or l e s s t ha n 50 pe r c e nt of t he pr oxi ma t e c a us e o f hi s de a t h. Ac c or di ngl y, we f i nd no e r r or wi t h t he t r i a l c our t ' s de ni a l of de f e nda nt ' s mot i on f or a di r e c t e d v e r di c t a nd hi s mot i o n f or a ne w t r i a l .

I d . a t **5 ( e mpha s i s a dde d; c i t a t i on omi t t e d) .

I n Si l c ox , t he de f e nda nt a r gue d t ha t Si l c ox a s s ume d t he r i s k o f d e a t h by r i di ng wi t h a n i nt oxi c a t e d dr i ve r a nd t hus wa s ba r r e d f r om r e c ove r i n g da ma ge s . De f e nda nt c i t e d Ha r ve y v . W el er , he 57

Te n n . App. 642, 423 S. W 2 d 283, . 285 ( Te nn. 1967) , i n whi c h t h e c o u r t s a i d:

As a ge ne r a l pr opos i t i on, a gue s t - pa s s e nge r i s p r e c l ude d f r om r e c o v e r i ng f or i nj ur i e s s us t a i ne d i n a n a u t omobi l e a c c i de nt whe r e t he i nt oxi c a t e d c ondi t i on of t he dr i ve r of t he a ut omobi l e i n whi c h [ t he pa s s e nge r ] wa s r i di ng wa s a pr oxi ma t e c a us e of t he a c c i de nt , i f t he g u e s t - pa s s e nge r kne w or s houl d ha ve known of t he dr i ve r ' s i nt oxi c a t i on a t t he t i me t he gue s t - pa s s e nge r vol unt e e r e d t o r i de i n t he a ut omobi l e .

* * * * W t he r or not t h e gue s t - pa s s e nge r i s c ont r i but or i l y he n e gl i ge nt i n r i di ng i n t he a ut omobi l e of t he de f e nda nt i s n o t t o b e de t e r mi ne d on t he c i r c ums t a nc e s a s t he y a ppe a r e d t o t he gue s t - pa s s e nge r , but i s t o be de t e r mi ne d b y c ompa r i ng t he gue s t pa s s e nge r ' s c onduc t wi t h t ha t of a n or di na r i l y pr ude nt ma n unde r l i ke c i r c ums t a nc e s . ( c i t a t i on o mi t t e d) .

As i n Si l c ox , t h e r e i s a mpl e e vi de nc e he r e s ugge s t i ng t h a t La Ru e ' s de c i s i on t o ge t on t he mot or c yc l e wa s i l l - a dvi s e d a n d ne gl i ge nt . Howe ve r , vi e wi ng a l l of t he e vi de nc e i n a l i ght mo s t f a v o r a b l e t o pl a i nt i f f s , a s we a r e r e qui r e d t o do , we c a nnot s a y t ha t r e a s ona bl e mi nds c oul d r e a c h onl y t he c onc l us i on t ha t La Ru e wa s e qu a l l y o r mor e at f a ul t t ha n Br e we r . We a gr e e t ha t t he c o n c l u s i on r e a c he d b y t he t r i a l c our t t ha t La Rue ' s f a ul t wa s e qu a l t o o r gr e a t e r t ha n Br e we r ' s i s a r e a s ona bl e c onc l us i on. W c a nn o t e s a y, h o we ve r , t ha t t he r e i s not a not he r c onc l us i on t ha t c oul d b e r e a c h e d by r e a s ona bl e mi nd s .

Br e we r wa s t he ope r a t or of t he mot or c yc l e a nd a dmi t t e dl y wa s t r a v e l i ng t oo f a s t a t t he t i me t he a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d. I t i s no t u n r e a s o na bl e t o c onc l ude t ha t t he a c c i de nt wa s c a us e d by e xc e s s i v e s p e e d r a t he r t ha n or i n a ddi t i on t o Br e we r s s t a t e of i nt oxi c a t i o n .

Br e we r ' s bl ood a l c ohol c ont e nt wa s r oughl y t wi c e t ha t of La Rue ' s .

I n t he f i na l a na l ys i s , a s t he Si l c ox c our t not e d, c ompa r a t i ve f a u l t i s a q u e s t i on of f a c t wi t hi n t he j ur y' s pr ovi nc e , whi c h s houl d n o t l i gh t l y be i nva de d by t he t r i a l c our t . W do not me a n t o i mpl y i n e a ny f a s h i on t ha t t he t r i a l c our t ' s a c t i on ga ve l i ght c ons i de r a t i o n t o t h e e vi de nc e or a n y o t h e r f acet of t he c a s e . W a r e of t h e e opi ni on t ha t , unde r al l t he c i r c ums t a nc e s of t hi s case, t he q u e s t i o n of t he de gr e e of f a ul t be t we e n La Rue a nd Br e we r s hou l d h a v e b e e n s ubmi t t e d t o t he j ur y.

The c a s e s c i t e d a nd r e l i e d upon by Br e we r , W t t s v. Robe r t s o n a Co u n t y , 1994 W 706676 ( Te nn.

L App. De c . 21, 1994) , Ca r r v. Oz b u r n - He s s e y St or a ge Co. , 1996 W 383295 ( Te nn. App. J ul y 10, 1996) , a n d L Es t a t e of Gu n t e r v. Smi t h, 1996 W 283069 ( Te nn.

L App. M y 30, a 9 9 6 ) , a r e c l e a r l y di s t i ngui s ha bl e on t he i r f a c t s f r om t hi s c a s e .

I n W t t s , t h e p l a i nt i f f s , p a s s e nge r s i n a mot or v e h i c l e , a br ou g h t s ui t f or da ma ge s unde r t he pr ovi s i o ns of t he Gove r nme nt To r t Li a b i l i t y Ac t , s e e ki ng t o r e c ove r da ma ge s f or t he i r i nj ur i e s . Th e c a s e wa s t r i e d a t a be nc h t r i a l a nd t he c our t f ound t he i s s ue s i n f a v o r o f t he de f e nda nt . Spe c i f i c a l l y, t he c our t f ound t ha t t he pa s s e nge r s we r e as knowl e dge a bl e a bout t he c ondi t i ons of t he r o a d wa y , br i dge a nd we a t he r c ondi t i ons a s t he dr i ve r . Fa ul t wa s a p p o r t i o ne d a nd a s be t we e n t he pl a i nt i f f s a nd t he de f e nda nt , t he c o u r t d e t e r mi ne d t ha t t he pl a i nt i f f ' s f a u l t e xc e e de d t ha t of t h e d e f e n d a nt . Thi s c our t i n a ddr e s s i ng t he i s s ue s t a t e d:

The Tr i a l J udge di d not e r r one ous l y a ppl y t he l a w a s t o t he dut y of a pa s s e nge r unde r t he f a c t s f ound by hi m.

Pa s s e nge r s i n mot or ve hi c l e s ha ve a dut y t o e xe r c i s e r e a s ona bl e c a r e f o r t he i r own s a f e t y. M ns f i e l d v. a Co l oni a l Fr e i ght Sys t e ms , Te nn. App. 1993, 862 S. W 2d .

W ha ve no a r gume nt wi t h t he pr opos i t i on s e t out i n W t t s . e a It i s i mp o r t a nt t o n ot e t ha t i n W t t s , howe ve r , t ha t t he f i ndi ngs o f a f a u l t we r e ma de by t he t r i e r of f a c t a nd i nvol ve d t he c r e di bi l i t y o f wi t n e s s e s . Suc h i s n ot t he c a s e h e r e .

Ca r r v. Oz bur n- He s s e y St or a ge Co. , i nvol ve d a c ol l i s i on b e t we e n a n a ut omobi l e a nd a t r uc k. The de f e nda nt move d f or s umma r y j u d g me n t . The c our t de t e r mi ne d t ha t t he r e we r e no ge nui ne i s s u e s o f ma t e r i a l f act a nd s us t a i ne d t he mot i on f or s umma r y j udgme n t , f i n d i n g f r om t he undi s put e d f a c t s t ha t t he pl a i nt i f f wa s , as a ma t t e r of l a w, mor e t ha n 50% a t f a ul t . W do not be l i e ve t ha t i n e

t h i s c a s e t he f a c t s be f or e t he c our t a r e undi s put e d t o t he e xt e n t t h a t a j udgme nt c a n b e ma de a s a ma t t e r of l a w.

In Es t a t e of Gunt e r v. Smi t h, t hi s c our t , in e s s e nc e , d e t e r mi ne d t ha t f r om t he u ndi s put e d e vi de nc e t he r e wa s no n e g l i - g e n c e o n t he pa r t of t he pl a i nt i f f . The c our t s t a t e d:

I n t he f i na l a na l ys i s , i f t he a ppe l l a nt i s e nt i t l e d t o r e c ove r f or t he de a t h of t he de c e de nt unde r t h e c i r c ums t a nc e s pr e s e nt he r e , s uc h r e c ove r y mus t ne c e s s a r - i l y b e ba s e d on a n i nf e r e nc e t ha t t he de f e nda nt s houl d h a ve s e e n t he d e c e de nt be f or e t he c ol l i s i on oc c ur r e d. W e d o not be l i e ve t ha t a c t i ona bl e ne gl i ge nc e c a n b e i nf e r r e d f r om " t he me r e f a c t of t he oc c ur r e nc e of i nj ur y a l one . " W l l i a ms v . J or da n , 208 Te nn. 456, i 346 S. W 2d 583, 586 . ( Te nn. App. 1961) . Ea t on v. M La i n , 891 S. W 2d 587, 590 c . ( Te nn. 1994) hol ds t ha t t he doc t r i ne of c ompa r a t i ve f a ul t , M I nt yr e v. Ba l e nt i ne , 833 S. W 2d 52 ( Te nn. 1992) c . d o e s not a l t e r t he s t a nda r ds whi c h gove r n a s s e s s me nt of e v i de nc e ba s e d upon t he ne gl i ge nc e of a pl a i nt i f f , a nd we t hi nk t he t r i a l j udg e c or r e c t l y he l d t h a t r e a s ona bl e mi nds c oul d not di f f e r a s t o t he c onc l us i on t o be dr a wn i n a l i ght mos t f a v or a b l e t o t he pl a i nt i f f t ha t t he n e gl i ge nc e of t he de c e a s e d wa s e qua l t o or gr e a t e r t ha n a n y i nf e r e nt i a l ne gl i ge nc e of t he de f e nda nt .

W do not be l i e ve t ha t t he a ut hor i t i e s c i t e d by t he de f e nda n t s e h a v e a n y a ppl i c a t i on t o t he i s s ue s unde r c ons i de r a t i on he r e . He r e , it is r e a s ona bl e t o c onc l ude t ha t mor e pr oba bl e t ha n not bot h pa r t i e s we r e ne gl i ge nt . Suf f i c i e nt doubt e xi s t s , howe ve r , to r e q u i r e t he c a s e t o be s ubmi t t e d t o t he j ur y.

Ac c or di ngl y, we r e ve r s e t he a c t i on of t he t r i al c our t in d i r e c t i ng a ve r di c t a ga i ns t t he pl a i nt i f f s a nd i n f a vor of t he d e f e n d a nt , Br e we r . The t r i al c our t is a f f i r me d i n al l ot he r r e s pe c t s .

I n o u r d i s c r e t i on c os t s of t hi s a ppe a l a r e a s s e s s e d e qua l l y b e t we e n t he pl a i nt i f f s a nd t he de f e nda nt , Br e we r . W r e ma nd t h e e case t o t he t r i al c our t f or a ne w t r i a l as t o t he de f e nda n t , Br e we r .

___________________________ _ _ Don T. M M r a y, J udge c ur

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____________________________ Ho u s t o n M Godda r d, Pr e s i d i ng J udge .

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____________________________ Ch a r l e s D. Sus a no, J r . , J u dge

I N THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE EASTERN SECTI ON FILED October 9, 1997 Cecil Crowson, Jr. Appellate C ourt Clerk HORACE A. La RUE a nd CARLA ) La RUE, Pa r e nt s a nd ne xt of ki n ) o f RANDALL CHARLES La RUE, ) De c e a s e d ) ) Pl a i nt i f f s - Appe l l a nt s ) ) ) v. ) KNOX COUNTY ) 03A01- 9702- CV- 00053 ) 8 1 7 LAKE I NCORPORATED, d / b/ a ) BONKERS, HOW ARD R. TANNENBAUM , ) RI CKY CHAM BERS, ROBERT ARCHER, ) a n d DANNY G. BREW ER ) ) De f e nda nt s - Appe l l e e s )

CONCURRI NG OPI NI ON

Godda r d, P. J .

I c onc ur in J udge M M r a y' s c ur r e ve r s a l of t he Tr i a l Co u r t ' s di s mi s s a l of t he c a s e a ga i ns t t he ope r a t or of t he mot or c y - cl e, M. r Br e we r , f or t he r e a s ons s t at ed t he r e i n, a nd in hi s a f f i r ma nc e of t he di s mi s s a l a s t o t he " dr a m s h o p" De f e nda nt s . I b a s e my c onc ur r e nc e a s t o t he l a t t e r upon T. C. A. 57- 10- 101, whi c h p r o v i d e s t ha t c ons umi ng r a t he r t ha n f ur ni s hi ng 1 a l c ohol i c be ve r a ge s is t h e pr oxi ma t e c a us e of i nj ur i e s i nf l i c t e d by a n i nt oxi c a t e d pe r s on.

I n r e a c hi ng t hi s c onc l us i on I not e t ha t no c ons t i t ut i o n a l a t t a c k i s l e ve l e d a s t o t he s t a t ut e a nd, f ur t he r , t ha t t he i mp o r t of T. C. A. 57- 10- 102 i s not e nt i r e l y c l e a r . My r e a di n g of b o t h Code Se c t i ons , howe ve r , pe r s ua de s me t ha t T. C. A.

57- 10- 102 i s i nt e nde d a s a n e xc e pt i on t o 57 - 1 0 - 1 0 1 a nd a l l o ws r e c ov e r y i f t he r e qui r e me nt s c ont a i ne d t he r e i n a r e me t . W le it hi s e e ms a noma l ous to me t ha t t he Le g i s l a t ur e woul d i ns ul a t e an a l c o h o l i c di s pe ns i ng e s t a bl i s hme nt f r om l i a bi l i t y whe n t he s pi r i t s a r e g i v e n a wa y t o t hos e u nde r 21 or i nt oxi c a t e d, a s o p pos e d t o b e i n g s ol d, I c onc l ude t ha t unde r t he c l e a r l a ngua ge of T. C. A. 5 7 - 0 - 1 0 1 t he a c t s of t he " dr a m s hop" De f e nda nt s , who f ur ni s he d b u t d i d n o t s e l l t he i nt oxi c a t i ng be ve r a ge , a r e not t he pr oxi ma t e c a u s e of t h e de a t h o f M. r La Ru e , whi c h i s ne c e s s a r y t o c a s t t he m i n j u d g me n t .

_______________________________ Hous t on M Godda r d, P. J . .

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

HORACE A. LaRUE and CARLA LaRUE,) FILED C/A NO. 03A01-9702-CV-00053 Parents and next of kin of ) RANDALL CHARLES LaRUE, deceased,) October 9, 1997 ) Plaintiffs-Appellants,) Cecil Crowson, Jr. ) Appellate C ourt Clerk ) ) ) APPEAL AS OF RIGHT FROM THE v. ) KNOX COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT ) ) ) 1817 LAKE INCORPORATED, d/b/a ) BONKERS, HOWARD R. TANNENBAUM, ) RICKY CHAMBERS, ROBERT ARCHER, ) and DANNY G. BREWER, ) ) HON. WHEELER A. ROSENBALM Defendants-Appellees. ) JUDGE

CONCURRING OPINION I concur completely in Judge McMurray’s holding that the dram shop defendants were entitled to a directed verdict. I also agree with his reasoning in support of that holding. As to the defendant Brewer, I agree that, based upon the plaintiffs’ proof, a jury could reasonably find that any negligence on the part of the deceased was less than the negligence of Brewer. Therefore, I agree that the plaintiffs’ claim against Brewer must be remanded for a new trial. My concurrence is limited to these statements.

__________________________ Charles D. Susano, Jr., J.