Thompson v. Moore

Birdsong, Presiding Judge.

We granted interlocutory appeal to determine an issue of first impression in this state, viz., whether, in an action for damages arising from an auto accident in which the cause is alleged to be driving while intoxicated, evidence is admissible, on the issue of punitive damages, that the defendant had plead guilty to the offense of driving while intoxicated twice before the subject accident and twice after. We hold that such evidence of incidents prior to the subject accident is admissible to show “wilful misconduct, malice . . . wantonness, oppression, or that…