Wright v. Sunset Recreation, Inc.

CourtNew York Supreme Court Appellate Division
Citation457 N.Y.S.2d 606,91 A.D.2d 701
Decision Date02 December 1982
PartiesKathryn L. WRIGHT, as Executrix of the Estate of Clyde J. Wright, Deceased, Appellant, v. SUNSET RECREATION, INC., Respondent.

Page 606

457 N.Y.S.2d 606
91 A.D.2d 701
Kathryn L. WRIGHT, as Executrix of the Estate of Clyde J.
Wright, Deceased, Appellant,
v.
SUNSET RECREATION, INC., Respondent.
Supreme Court, Appellate Division,
Third Department.
Dec. 2, 1982.

Page 607

Toomey & Dorfman, Albany (John E. Dorfman, Albany, of counsel), for appellant.

Tabner, Carlson, Farrell & Cholakis, Albany (Edward M. Scher, Albany, of counsel), for respondent.

Before MAHONEY, P.J., and MIKOLL, YESAWICH and LEVINE, JJ.

MEMORANDUM DECISION.

Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court at Special Term, entered October 26, 1981 in Rensselaer County, which granted defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

During the early morning hours of December 23, 1979, Clyde J. Wright was travelling east on Route I-90 in the Town of East Greenbush when his vehicle was struck by an automobile, operated by Thomas Donnelly and owned by his wife, travelling west in the same traffic lane. Mr. Wright died from the injuries sustained in the accident. Thereafter, plaintiff, wife of the deceased and executrix of his estate, commenced an action against the Donnellys and the instant action against Sunset Recreation, Inc., wherein she alleged that the corporate defendant was responsible for her loss both on a theory of common-law negligence and strict liability pursuant to the Dram Shop Act (General Obligations Law, § 11-101). In both actions the complaint alleges that Mr. Donnelly was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Defendant Sunset Recreation, Inc. moved for summary judgment. Special Term granted the motion and this appeal by plaintiff ensued. 1

Turning to the common-law negligence theory first, we conclude that it does not raise a triable issue of fact. Any duty under this theory to control the conduct of patrons in consuming alcoholic beverages does not extend beyond the area where supervision and control may reasonably be exercised (Schirmer v. Yost, 60 A.D.2d 789, 400 N.Y.S.2d 655; Paul v. Hogan, 56 A.D.2d 723, 392 N.Y.S.2d 766). The deceased in the instant case was fatally injured by the actions of Thomas Donnelly driving a vehicle on a highway many miles away from the site of defendant's building. Plaintiff thus failed to allege the existence of any facts which could support a finding of liability against defendant on a theory of common-law negligence.

In her strict liability cause of action, plaintiff contends she has raised issues of fact as to whether defendant, in...

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30 practice notes
  • Otis Engineering Corp. v. Clark, No. C-1227
    • United States
    • Supreme Court of Texas
    • November 30, 1983
    ...Watts, 180 Mont. 91, 589 P.2d 145 (1979); Bell v. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, 642 P.2d 161 (Nev.1982); Wright v. Sunset Recreation, Inc., 91 A.D.2d 701, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606 (1982); Johnson v. Paige, 47 Or.App. 1177, 615 P.2d 1185 (1980); Wilson v. Steinbach, 98 Wash.2d 434, 656 P.2d 1030 (1982......
  • Valicenti v. Valenze
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court Appellate Division
    • May 9, 1985
    ...broadly on the deterrent and remedial purposes of the act through its imposition of strict liability (see Wright v. Sunset Recreation, 91 A.D.2d 701, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606; Matalavage v. Sadler, 77 A.D.2d 39, 43, 432 N.Y.S.2d 103; Mitchell v. The Shoals, Inc., 26 A.D.2d 78, 79, 271 N.Y.S.2d 137,......
  • D'Amico v. Christie
    • United States
    • New York Court of Appeals
    • December 17, 1987
    ...v. Franco, 122 A.D.2d 15, 16, 504 N.Y.S.2d 186; Greer v. Ferrizz, 118 A.D.2d Page 4 536, 499 N.Y.S.2d 758; Wright v. Sunset Recreation, 91 A.D.2d 701, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606; Gabrielle v. Craft, 75 A.D.2d 939, 438 N.Y.S.2d 84; Kohler v. Wray, 114 Misc.2d 856, 452 N.Y.S.2d 831). Plaintiff urges th......
  • Conrad v. Beck-Turek, Ltd., Inc., No. 93 CV 0610 (BDP).
    • United States
    • United States District Courts. 2nd Circuit. United States District Courts. 2nd Circuit. Southern District of New York
    • July 10, 1995
    ...a third-party, i.e., not the inebriate, and the accident occurred off the premises of the liquor establishment. See Wright v. Sunset, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606, 607, 91 A.D.2d 701, 701 (3d Dept.1982) ("Any duty under a common-law negligence theory to control the conduct of patrons in consuming alcoh......
  • Request a trial to view additional results
30 cases
  • Otis Engineering Corp. v. Clark, No. C-1227
    • United States
    • Supreme Court of Texas
    • November 30, 1983
    ...Watts, 180 Mont. 91, 589 P.2d 145 (1979); Bell v. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, 642 P.2d 161 (Nev.1982); Wright v. Sunset Recreation, Inc., 91 A.D.2d 701, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606 (1982); Johnson v. Paige, 47 Or.App. 1177, 615 P.2d 1185 (1980); Wilson v. Steinbach, 98 Wash.2d 434, 656 P.2d 1030 (1982......
  • Valicenti v. Valenze
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court Appellate Division
    • May 9, 1985
    ...broadly on the deterrent and remedial purposes of the act through its imposition of strict liability (see Wright v. Sunset Recreation, 91 A.D.2d 701, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606; Matalavage v. Sadler, 77 A.D.2d 39, 43, 432 N.Y.S.2d 103; Mitchell v. The Shoals, Inc., 26 A.D.2d 78, 79, 271 N.Y.S.2d 137,......
  • D'Amico v. Christie
    • United States
    • New York Court of Appeals
    • December 17, 1987
    ...v. Franco, 122 A.D.2d 15, 16, 504 N.Y.S.2d 186; Greer v. Ferrizz, 118 A.D.2d Page 4 536, 499 N.Y.S.2d 758; Wright v. Sunset Recreation, 91 A.D.2d 701, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606; Gabrielle v. Craft, 75 A.D.2d 939, 438 N.Y.S.2d 84; Kohler v. Wray, 114 Misc.2d 856, 452 N.Y.S.2d 831). Plaintiff urges th......
  • Conrad v. Beck-Turek, Ltd., Inc., No. 93 CV 0610 (BDP).
    • United States
    • United States District Courts. 2nd Circuit. United States District Courts. 2nd Circuit. Southern District of New York
    • July 10, 1995
    ...a third-party, i.e., not the inebriate, and the accident occurred off the premises of the liquor establishment. See Wright v. Sunset, 457 N.Y.S.2d 606, 607, 91 A.D.2d 701, 701 (3d Dept.1982) ("Any duty under a common-law negligence theory to control the conduct of patrons in consuming alcoh......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

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