Jeter v. South Carolina Department of Transportation

GOOLSBY, J.:

This is an action under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) appeals the damages awards to Calvin L. Jeter, Quantilla Jeter, and Phyllis P. Brown, arguing the trial court erred in (1) moving the action to Fairfield County, (2) directing a verdict on the issue of Brown’s negligence, and (3) refusing to charge the defense of unavoidable accident. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

FACTS

Calvin Jeter was operating a motorcycle on Secondary Road 37, also known as Herbert Road, in Union County on July 12, 1997. SCDOT had…