Schirmer v. Yost

Decision Date16 December 1977
CourtNew York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
PartiesEarl E. SCHIRMER, Sr., Individually and as parent and natural guardian of Earl E. Schirmer, Jr., an infant, Respondents, v. Doreen A. YOST et al., Respondents, and Allen Webster and Janice Webster, Appellants.

John C. Alletto, Rochester, for appellants Webster; William S. Ruby, Rochester, argued.

Francis E. Calvaruso, Rochester, for respondents Schirmer; Francis E. Calvaruso, Rochester, argued.

Hickey, McHugh & Garlick, Rochester, for respondents Yost and Beth; Robert J. Burke, Rochester, argued.

Martin, Dutcher, Mousaw, Vigdor & Reeves, Rochester, for respondent Lakeview Fire Dept.

Before MARSH, P. J., and MOULE, DILLON, DENMAN and WITMER, JJ.

MEMORANDUM:

The defendants Allen Webster and Janice Webster appeal from Special Term's denial of their motion to dismiss the complaint and the cross-claims herein (CPLR 3211, subd. (a) par. 7) or alternatively for summary judgment.

This is a personal injury action for damages suffered when Earl E. Schirmer, Jr., an infant, was struck by a motor vehicle owned by the defendant, Doreen A. Yost and operated by the defendant Ronald H. Beth along Greenleaf Road in the Town of Greece. Shortly before the accident the defendants Webster, who were married earlier that day, held their wedding reception at the premises of the defendant Lakeview Fire Department. During the reception alcoholic beverages were served to the guests, one of whom was the defendant, Ronald H. Beth.

To the extent that plaintiff's complaint purports to allege a cause of action against the Websters under the Dram Shop Act, plaintiff's counsel, at the time of argument, withdrew any such claim. The only remaining possible theory of recovery against the defendants Webster is premised upon their alleged negligence in failing to supervise adequately and control the conduct of the guests in consuming alcoholic beverages at their reception. In the circumstances here such duty does not extend to the conduct of those who are no longer within the area where such supervision and control reasonably may be exercised (Paul v. Hogan, 56 A.D.2d 723, 392 N.Y.S.2d 766). Since it appears from the pleadings that at the time of the accident the defendant Ronald H. Beth was driving a motor vehicle on a public highway far removed from the place of the wedding reception, plaintiff's complaint does not state a cause of action against the defendants Webster.

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18 cases
  • Kelly v. Gwinnell
    • United States
    • New Jersey Supreme Court
    • June 27, 1984
    ...21 Mich.App. 219, 175 N.W.2d 303 (Ct.App.1970); Cole v. City of Spring Lake Park, 314 N.W.2d 836 (Minn.1982); Schirmer v. Yost, 60 A.D.2d 789, 400 N.Y.S.2d 655 (App.Div.1977); Edgar v. Kajet, 84 Misc.2d 100, 375 N.Y.S.2d 548 (Sup.Ct.1975), aff'd, 55 A.D.2d 597, 389 N.Y.S.2d 631 Whether ment......
  • Beard v. Graff
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • November 7, 1990
    ...v. Circo, 196 Neb. 496, 244 N.W.2d 65 (1976); Hamm v. Carson City Nugget, Inc., 85 Nev. 99, 450 P.2d 358 (1969); Schirmer v. Yost, 60 A.D.2d 789, 400 N.Y.S.2d 655 (1977); Gressman v. McClain, 40 Ohio St.3d 359, 533 N.E.2d 732 (1988) (will not impose social host liability in absence of a sta......
  • Klein v. Raysinger
    • United States
    • Pennsylvania Supreme Court
    • December 30, 1983
    ...v. Watts, 180 Mont. 91, 589 P.2d 145 (1979); Hamm v. Carson City Nugget, Inc., 85 Nev. 99, 450 P.2d 358 (1969); Schirmer v. Yost, 60 A.D.2d 789, 400 N.Y.S.2d 655 (1977); Edgar v. Kajet, 84 Misc. 100, 375 N.Y.S.2d 548 (1975) aff'd 55 A.D.2d 597, 389 N.Y.S.2d 631 (1976); Tarwater v. Atlantic ......
  • Valicenti v. Valenze
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • May 9, 1985
    ...liable for the off-premises acts of an intoxicated vendee, on the grounds that there was no duty to control such acts (Schirmer v. Yost, 60 A.D.2d 789, 400 N.Y.S.2d 655) or that the sale of the intoxicants was not a proximate cause (3 NY Jur 2d Alcoholic Beverages § 120, at 457 [1980] ). It......
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