Provident Tradesmens Bank & Trust Co. v. Patterson

This controversy, involving in its present posture the dismissal of a declaratory judgment action for nonjoinder of an “indispensable” party, began nearly 10 years ago with a traffic accident. An automobile owned by Edward Dutcher, who was not present when the accident occurred, was being driven by Donald Cionci, to whom Dutcher had given the keys. John Lynch and John Harris were passengers. The automobile crossed the median strip of the highway and collided with a truck being driven by Thomas Smith. Cionci, Lynch, and Smith were killed and Harris was severely injured.

Three tort actions were…