McClellan v. Chippewa Valley Electric Railroad

110 Wis. 326 | Wis. | 1901

WiNslow, J

It is impossible to tell with any degree of certainty from the evidence at what point the plaintiff drove upon the street-railway track, or what distance he traveled upon the track, or where the collision in fact occurred. The plaintiff’s verified complaint (which has never been amended) states that- while he was driving along Putnam street, at a point about 100 feet south of Birch street, he attempted to cross the track from the west to the east side of the street, and while in the act of crossing was struck by the car. It appears that he was examined as an adverse party before the trial, and he admits that he then testified that he had traveled on the track but a little ways before the accident happened; also that he then testified that he had traveled probably the length of his wagon, or twice that length, on the track, before he was hit; but he now says that he made a mistake in so testifying. Upon the trial he testified that he had driven upon the track the width of two lots fifty or sixty feet wide before he was struck; that he first drove upon the track in front of a house No. 540 Putnam street (which is shown by the evidence to be 288 feet south of Birch street crossing, and hence 139 feet north of Pay street); that he was struck about two rods south of a certain row of trees on the west side of Putnam street (the most southerly of which is shown by the evidence to be seventy-two feet south of Birch street); and that he fell from the load on the south crossing of Birch street, and was dragged by the horses north across Birch street. Palmer testified upon the trial that the plaintiff drove north on the west side of Putnam street about one third of the block (142 feet); that he then turned onto the track, and drove north on the track about one third of the block, when he was struck as he got up by the trees. Upon being recalled, Palmer testified that when he (Palmer) was two or three rods north' of Fay street he looked south, and saw the car coming about the middle of the block between Madison and Fay streets; that plaintiff w^s then three or four rods ahead of him, and was on the track, and had been on the track for a distance of five or six rods. If this be true, McClellan must have driven on the street-railway track from one to two rods after entering on Putnam street. The plaintiff testifies positively that he looked south for a car when he drove onto Putnam street, and again when he drove onto the railway track, and that none was in sight on either occasion, and that he did not look south again.

The evidence of Palmer is that the car was traveling from twelve to fifteen miles per hour, and did not slacken its speed; and this is the only evidence as to the speed of the car. The plaintiff ^ays that his team was walking, but he does not fix the speed. While it is impossible to reconcile all of the evidence, there are certain results which may be deduced therefrom with certainty. If plaintiff entered on the track after traversing one third of the block (142 feet), and traveled north one third of a block, he was 631 feet north of Madison street when he entered the track and 779 feet north thereof when he was struck. If he traveled three miles an hour (certainly a very moderate estimate), and the car traveled fifteen miles an hour (the highest estimate given), the car would have traveled but 710 feet while the plaintiff was traveling 142 feet on the track, and must have been in sight on Putnam street when the plaintiff entered on the track, when he testifies that he looked and did not see it. If, however, the car was not actually in sight when plaintiff drove on the track, because it had not yet turned the corner at Madison street, then the plaintiff must, have turned onto the track substantially immediately after he entered on Putnam street, as seems to be the result of Palmer’s last evidence, and in this case he must have traveled somewhere from 250 to 300 feet northward along the track without looking for a car. Whichever horn of the-dilemma the plaintiff takes, he is convicted of contributory negligence, j If the car was actually in sight when he entered on the track, then it was his duty to see it, and he was-negligent if he did not see it, notwithstanding he testifies that he looked and did not see it. If, on the other hand, it was not in sight, then it is certain that he traveled nearly or quite 300 feet along the track without looking for the approach of a car. In either case he is guilty of contributory negligence. Bryant v. Metropolitan St. R. Co. 28 Misc. (N. Y.), 532.

The claim is now made by appellant that there was evidence in the case sufficient to show a case of wilful intent to injure, or that reckless and wanton disregard on the part of defendant’s employees of the plaintiff’s rights and safety Avhich is deemed equivalent to an intent to injure, and may be called a constructive intent, and which has been inaccurately termed-gross negligence. Bolin v. C., St. P., M. & O. R. Co. 108 Wis. 333. With regard to this claim it is sufficient to-say that no such cause of action is stated, or attempted to be Stated, in the complaint. The complaint simply charges negligence. Certainly, if wilful misconduct is claimed, or a wanton and reckless act equivalent in law to wilful misconduct, the cause of action is a different one from a cause of action founded upon negligence simply. The defendant is entitled to know what the cause of action is upon which the plaintiff relies. 14 Ency. of Pl. & Pr. 338, § 8.

By the Oourt.— Judgment affirmed.