Thayer v. Thayer

Plaintiff, Effie Thayer, a sister-in-law of defendant, Deyo Thayer, was badly injured while riding in an automobile driven by defendant. She brought an action for damages under the so-called guest act, 1 Comp. Laws 1929, § 4648 (Stat. Ann. § 9.1446), charging the defendant with gross negligence. The court, after reserving decision on defendant’s motion for directed verdict under the provisions of the Empson act, 3 Comp. Laws 1929, §14531 (Stat. Ann. § 27.1461), submitted the cause to a jury, which rendered a verdict for plaintiff in the sum of $720.58. Later the trial judge filed a written…