Baker v. Wayne County Board of Road Commissioners

Defendant Board of County Road Commissioners of Wayne County (Wayne County) appeals as of right following a July 14, 1987, Wayne Circuit Court jury verdict in favor of plaintiffs Darryl Baker and Brett Bettis on their personal injury claims. We reverse the jury’s verdict and remand for a new trial because Wayne County’s duty to maintain the improved portion of West Outer Drive in reasonable repair, MCL 691.1402; MSA 3.996(102), does not extend to illumination of the highway or to a tree outside of the highway.

Bettis and Baker were passengers in a car traveling east on West Outer Drive near…