Williams v. Mickens

The question presented here is this: Does failure to remove the switch key render the owner of an automobile liable for the negligent operation thereof by a thief who steals it?

If the owner is liable for injury inflicted by the thief at the next street crossing, there appears no reason why liability should not extend to the next town, the next county, or the next state. If leaving the key in the switch creates liability, leaving it on the seat, or on the owner’s desk where a thief could easily find it, would seem also to imply liability. If liability exists on the day of the theft, does it…