161 N.W. 725 | N.D. | 1916
Lead Opinion
This is an action to recover damages for injuries sustained in a crossing accident. The accident occurred at Burlington, North Dakota. The main line of the defendant railway company ran east and west. Forty-three feet 6 inches south of the main track was a sidetrack. On this sidetrack was a string of box cars, the westerly one of which projected some 22 feet into the street on which plaintiff was driving, and the easterly one of which was probably some quarter of a mile to the east. Though the westerly car projected into the street, it appears that there was plenty of room to keep on the 18 or 20 foot crossing, which was constructed by the railway company and provided for by statute, and to pass the same, all that was necessary being to turn slightly to the west and “hook around” the car. The plaintiff was well acquainted with the crossing, it having been his
The distance between the sidetrack and the main track was 43 feet 6 inches. It was 25 feet from the tip of the noses of his lead horses to the front end of the grain tank. Plaintiff was standing 18 inches, or at the most 36 inches, from the front of the grain tank. He testified that he saw the train approaching just as soon as he passed the box car on the sidetrack. It is perfectly clear that directly after he
The evidence discloses as clear a case of contributory negligence as could well be imagined, and the trial judge did not, therefore, err in granting the motion of the defendant and in dismissing the action. Haugo v. Great Northern R. Co. 27 N. D. 268, 145 N. W. 1053; Christopherson v. Minneapolis, St. P. & S. Ste. M. R. Co. 28 N. D. 128, L.R.A.1915A, 761, 147 N. W. 791, Ann. Cas. 1916E, 683; Wallenburg v. Missouri P. R. Co. 37 L.R.A.(N.S.) 135, note; Gast v. Northern P. R. Co. 28 N. D. 118, 147 N. W. 793; Sherlock v. Minneapolis, St. P. & S. Ste. M. R. Co. 24 N. D. 40, 138 N. W. 976; Hope v. Great Northern R. Co. 19 N. D. 438, 122 N. W. 997.
The judgment of the District Court is affirmed.
Rehearing
On Petition for Rehearing.
I approve this decision. It would be a great detriment to the public if railway trains were to move like teams. They must go. It is the duty of every person to use great care and caution in crossing a railroad track. ' .