Hansen v. Goetz

46 N.E.2d 293, 37 Ohio Law. Abs. 112, 1942 Ohio App. LEXIS 890
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 17, 1942
DocketNo. 1699
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 46 N.E.2d 293 (Hansen v. Goetz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hansen v. Goetz, 46 N.E.2d 293, 37 Ohio Law. Abs. 112, 1942 Ohio App. LEXIS 890 (Ohio Ct. App. 1942).

Opinion

OPINION

By GEIGER, PJ.

This matter is before this Court upon an appeal by the defendant from the judgment of the court of common pleas rendered the 9th day of June, 1941, on verdict of a jury for the sum of $15,536.58.

In the amended petition it is asserted that First Street and Perry Street are in the built up portions of the city of Dayton; that First Street is a through street running eastwardly and westwardly intersected on the south side at right angles by Perry Street running northwardly and southwardly but coming to a dead end at First Street.

It is alleged that on June 28, 1940, at about 12:30 A. M., plaintiff was walking west on First Street on the south side thereof and upon arriving at the southeast corner where said streets intersect, he continued his westerly course and proceeded to cross Perry Street in the designated crosswalk and when he- was 5 feet from the west curb line he was struck by the car of the defendant, going north on Perry Street, suffering the injuries complained of.

It is alleged that the injuries were due to the negligence of the defendant, set out in five special allegations,

(1) In operating the vehicle on the left side of the center of the [114]*114street in violation of the statute and ordinance.

(2) In operating the vehicle at a speed of 30 miles and failing to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, in violation of the statute.

(3) In failing to observe the stop sign located in the center of Perry Street.

(4) Failing to bring his vehicle to a full stop at said intersection in violation of the ordinance, which provides that a driver of a vehicle shall stop in obedience to a stop sign at the intersection where a stop sign is erected; that the driver of a vehicle on any of the listed streets shall bring the same to a full stop before proceeding to cross the corresponding intersecting street; that Perry Street is a stop street at the intersection.

(5) Failing to yield the right of way to plaintiff who, as a pedestrian, was crossing said street in the cross walk, in violation of the ordinance of the city to the effect that the driver of any vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing any street in compliance with paragraph (a) of the ordinance.

It is alleged that as a result of being struck the plaintiff sustained injuries and was put to expense as set out in said petition and that by reason of said injuries he was damaged in the sum of $15,536.58, for which he prays judgment.

The defendant for his answer admits the allegations as to the street intereseetion; that at the hour designated the plaintiff was walking on the south side of First Street and upon arriving at the southeast corner plaintiff continued in a westerly course and that the plaintiff and the defendant’s automobile, going north on Perry Street, came in contact and that the plaintiff was injured, but denies injuries to the extent as asserted in the petition.

Defendant denies that the collision was due to the negligence of the defendant, as claimed in the amended petition, but avers that the accident and damages arising therefrom weve caused by the carelessness and negligence of the plaintiff.

For reply the plaintiff denies that the injuries sustained by him were caused by any negligence on his part and denies every other allegation of the answer.

The cause came on for trial and being submitted to the jury, a verdict in the amount stated was returned and a judgment was entered thereon.

The defendant gave notice of an appeal from the judgment upon questions of law.

The defendant assigns eight grounds of error which may be epitomized as follows:

Error of the court in refusing to give special charges before argument; in admitting evidence of the plaintiff; refusing to admit evidence of the defendant; error in its general charge to the jury; that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence and the law and was excessive; error in overruling motion of defendant for new trial; other errors.

That we may better understand the evidence in this case we note the situation, so far as traffic lights are concerned, at the point where Perry Street intersects but does not cross First Street. In the middle of Perry Street and extending north and south in a row of brass disks fastened to the surface of the street. These disks are about 2% inches in diameter and are placed in a straight line north and south in the middle of Perry Street about fifteen inches from each other. When this row of disks, extending north and south, reaches [115]*115■a point opposite the south marginal line of the street, it branches at a right angle and continues to the curb line of Perry Street so as to mark the south line of the crosswalk. These disks also continue noi'thward to about the middle ■of First Street. About 2% feet east •of the center line of Perry Street and in the line of the brass disks, extending east and west, there is fastened to the surface of the street what is designated in the record as a “button” but which is really a metal block about fifteen inches in length and six inches in width. It is so placed and fastened to the street as to present a slanting surface to an automobile approaching from the south. On this slanting surface in fair size letters appears the word “stop”. The traffic light on the west side of Perry Street is so hooded as to give an imperfect signal to a pedestrian crossing Perry Street. It is so constructed as to control the automobile traffic going eastward on First Street and the traffic on Stratford Avenue, which extends at an ■angle of forty-five degrees across First Street northwesterly toward Monument Street and from thence to the bridge over the river. When this traffic light is showing green for vehicular traffic on First Street, it shows red as against the traffic on Stratford Avenue and vice versa. In the middle of Stratford Avenue there is a beacon light that guides the flow of traffic on Stratford Avenue. On the north side of First Street, which is 35 feet wide at this point, and directly opposite the center line of Perry Street, there is a traffic light but it is blank so far as traffic flowing-northward on Perry Street, its purpose being to control traffic east and west on First Street but to convey no signal to traffic entering First Street from the south. This peculiar arrangement of traffic lights is unusual and is apparently due to an attempt to protect vehicular traffic flowing upon Stratford Avenue and on First Street west of the intersection of Perry Street.

There does not seem to be a great deal of controversy between the parties as to the essential features incident to the collision between the plaintiff as he walked westward and the defendant as he drove his car north on Perry Street. We will summarize the statements of facts of opposite counsel bringing into contrast the differences that are disclosed by these statements.

The defendant-appellant describes the situation as to Perry Street, First Street and Stratford Avenue. Counsel states that on the north side of First Street, in the middle of Perry Street extended, is a traffic light shining east on First Street. Counsel is correct in not stating that it is a traffic light showing southward to regulate the traffic flowing northward on Perry Street.

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Bluebook (online)
46 N.E.2d 293, 37 Ohio Law. Abs. 112, 1942 Ohio App. LEXIS 890, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hansen-v-goetz-ohioctapp-1942.