Thomas v. Price

On July 16, 1977, Charles Thomas, a nine-year-old boy, was injured when he was struck by a motorcycle driven by John Price. The Thomas boy’s next friend filed a complaint against Price in the circuit court of Whiteside County. The complaint alleged that Price was guilty of negligence as well as willful and wanton misconduct. The trial judge directed a verdict in favor of the defendant on the willful and wanton issue, while a jury found the nine-year-old guilty of contributory negligence, thus absolving the defendant of liability on the negligence issue. This appeal is taken as to both…