Hodnett v. Friend

In this negligence case, William James Hodnett was injured when the Volkswagen automobile in which he was riding was struck by a Chevrolet pickup operated by David L. Friend. David Jefferson Underwood, the driver of the Volkswagen, was also injured in the accident and later died from his injuries.

Hodnett instituted an action for damages against Friend and the personal representative of Underwood’s estate. In a jury trial, the court struck Hodnett’s evidence against Underwood’s estate, and the jury returned a verdict in favor of Friend. The court entered judgment in favor of both defendants.

The…