Combes v. Snow

— This action was brought by an occupant of a vehicle which collided at an intersection with another vehicle in which the respondent was riding. A demurrer to the complaint was sustained.

The question before the court is: Can persons who have unlawfully taken possession of an automobile and are engaged in “joy riding” (which is a crime under RCW 9.54-.020) be held jointly and severally liable for injuries to a third party resulting from the driver’s negligence?

We have found no case in this jurisdiction which has dealt with this question. The respondent says that the only theory on which he…