Ynocenscio was charged with vehicular homicide when he attempted to pass another vehicle in the fog and collided with a speeding motorcycle, killing the motorcyclist. The court dismissed the charges finding that there was no evidence that Ynocenscio had criminal intent. The trial court also seems to have found, based on conflicting evidence, that defendant’s actions were at most negligent and, therefore, insufficient to justify the charge. We disagree and reverse for trial.
Ynocenscio was following another vehicle on a two-lane highway when he decided to pass. Although the area at which he attempted to pass was normally a passing zone, the normal visibility was considerably reduced by the fog. His speed in passing the other vehicle was only slightly greater than the vehicle being passed. When Ynocenscio’s vehicle was about half way up the side of the vehicle being passed, the motorcyclist came out of the fog and a head-on collision occurred. The driver of the vehicle being passed stated that the visibility was such that the passing should not have been attempted.
There is no requirement that the defendant intend to harm another by his reckless driving. See State v. Perez,
Ynocenscio is not relieved of liability because the motorcyclist’s speeding contributed to the accident. The fact that a vehicle may be coming around the bend or over the hill or out of the fog and may be speeding is foreseeable. See M.C.J. v. State,
REVERSED and REMANDED.
Notes
. The denseness of the fog was a disputed issue of fact to be resolved by the jury, not the judge.
