Carter v. Du Page County Sheriff

710 N.E.2d 1263, 304 Ill. App. 3d 443, 238 Ill. Dec. 161, 1999 Ill. App. LEXIS 320
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedMay 12, 1999
Docket2-98-0147
StatusPublished
Cited by24 cases

This text of 710 N.E.2d 1263 (Carter v. Du Page County Sheriff) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Court of Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Carter v. Du Page County Sheriff, 710 N.E.2d 1263, 304 Ill. App. 3d 443, 238 Ill. Dec. 161, 1999 Ill. App. LEXIS 320 (Ill. Ct. App. 1999).

Opinion

JUSTICE THOMAS

delivered the opinion of the court:

Plaintiff, Dawn Carter, n/k/a/ Dawn Rudnick, appeals from the trial court’s judgment dismissing her negligence count against defendant, Randall Simpson. Plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in concluding that section 2—202 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (Tort Immunity Act) (745 ILCS 10/2—202 (West 1996)) immunized Simpson for his acts of negligence that caused his car accident with plaintiff. Plaintiff contends that the Tort Immunity Act does not apply because (1) the standard of care established in sections 11—205 and 11—907 of the IIlinois Vehicle Code (Vehicle Code) (625 ILCS 5/11—205, 11—907 (West 1996)) supercedes the immunity provisions of the Tort Immunity Act; and (2) Simpson was not executing or enforcing the law when the accident occurred.

This cause arises from an accident between plaintiff and Simpson at the intersection of Butterfield Road and Park Boulevard. At the time, Simpson, who had his emergency lights and his siren operating, was traveling through the intersection against the traffic light and on the wrong side of the road. Plaintiff was traveling with the traffic light. Neither saw the other until they were both in the intersection. Their cars collided and ricocheted into two other vehicles. Following the accident, both plaintiff and Simpson were treated at a hospital.

Subsequently, plaintiff filed a three-count complaint against defendants, the County of Du Page (County), the Du Page County sheriff (Sheriff), and Simpson. Count I sought to recover from Simpson for his negligence in causing the accident. Count II sought recovery from all three defendants, alleging that Simpson had acted wilfully and wantonly, and count III sought recovery from all three defendants, alleging that Simpson had, while acting under color of law, violated plaintiffs rights (see 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983 (West 1994)).

Pursuant to section 2—619.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2—619.1 (West 1996)), defendants sought to dismiss plaintiffs complaint, alleging that, as to count I, Simpson was immune from liability pursuant to section 2 — 202 of the Tort Immunity Act and that counts II and III failed to state a cause of action (see 735 ILCS 5/2—615 (West 1996)). The trial court (1) dismissed all allegations against the County for failing to state a cause of action; (2) dismissed count I pursuant to section 2—619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(9) (West 1996)), finding Simpson immune from liability for his negligent acts; and (3) dismissed counts II and III against Simpson and the Sheriff for failing to state a cause of action. The trial court found that the dismissal of the allegations against the County and the dismissal of count I against Simpson were final and appealable orders (see 155 Ill. 2d R. 304(a)). The court also granted plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint with respect to counts II and III against Simpson and the Sheriff. Subsequently, plaintiff filed a timely notice of appeal. We note that plaintiffs notice of appeal states that she is appealing the dismissal of count I against Simpson and the dismissal of the allegations against the County. On appeal, however, plaintiff does not argue that the trial court erred in dismissing the allegations against the County; thus, we do not review the propriety of that dismissal.

Plaintiff argues that sections 11—205 and 11—907 of the Vehicle Code supercede the immunity provision found in section 2—202 of the Tort Immunity Act. Therefore, plaintiff concludes, the trial court erred in finding that Simpson’s actions were immunized and that dismissal pursuant to section 2—619 was proper. Section 2—619 affords “litigants a means to dispose of issues of law and easily proved issues of fact at the outset of a case.” Zedella v. Gibson, 165 Ill. 2d 181, 185 (1995). In deciding a motion to dismiss under section 2—619, courts may consider the pleadings, depositions, and affidavits. Zedella, 165 Ill. 2d at 185. We review a dismissal pursuant to section 2—619 de novo. Kedzie & 103rd Currency Exchange, Inc. v. Hodge, 156 Ill. 2d 112, 116 (1993).

Section 11—205 of the Vehicle Code provides, in pertinent part:

“(b) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this Section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
(c) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
1. Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this Chapter;
2. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be required and necessary for safe operation;
3. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property;
4. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions!.]
$ ^ ^
(e) The foregoing provisions do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty of driving with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.” (Emphasis added.) 625 ILCS 5/11—205 (West 1996).

Section 11—907 of the Vehicle Code provides:

“(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of this Code or a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible or visual signal,
(1) the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall, if necessary to permit the safe passage of the emergency vehicle, stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer and
(2) the operator of every streetcar shall immediately stop such car clear of any intersection and keep it in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This Section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway." (Emphasis added.) 625 ILCS 5/11—907 (West 1996).

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Bluebook (online)
710 N.E.2d 1263, 304 Ill. App. 3d 443, 238 Ill. Dec. 161, 1999 Ill. App. LEXIS 320, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/carter-v-du-page-county-sheriff-illappct-1999.