Fryman v. Pilot Life Insurance Co.

OPINION OF THE COURT

On May 23, 1981 William Fryman was killed in a motorcycle accident. It is undisputed that at the time of the accident Fry-man had a blood alcohol level of .20 and was operating his motorcycle at an excessive rate of speed. Fryman had been covered by a group life policy issued from the appellee, Pilot Life Insurance Company, through Fryman’s employer. The policy provides $10,000 basic life coverage with a double indemnity provision where death is caused solely by “external, violent and accidental means.”

The issue submitted to the trial court was whether Fryman’s death fell…