Wootten v. Dillard

This is an action for damages for personal injuries brought by a guest against his host driver. Defendant appeals from a judgment on a jury verdict for plaintiff. The primary issue is whether there is evidence from which the jury could find that plaintiffs injuries resulted from gross negligence on the part of the defendant. We find there is and affirm.

For some 18 years now the parties and the courts have been wont, in cases governed by the guest passenger law, to commence analysis with Williamson v. McKenna, 223 Or 366, 354 P2d 56 (1960). Whenever this court (or the trial court) decides a…