Frechen v. Detroit Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange

The facts in this case are simple but the issue is one of first impression in Michigan.

The decedent and his wife, Amelia, spent most of the afternoon drinking in a bar. Sometime between 12:30 and 1 a.m. an argument occurred and Amelia stormed out of the bar, leaving her husband. The decedent followed her into the park-, ing lot. Amelia got into, the car, locked all of the doors and attempted to drive away. Mr. Roesch knew that he would be compelled to walk 13 miles home in chilly weather if his wife left him behind. In order to force his wife to drive him home, Mr. Roesch climbed onto the…