Alfonso v. Robinson

In this appeal of a judgment in favor of a plaintiff in a negligence action, we consider whether the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the issue of willful and wanton negligence.

On November 23, 1994, shortly before midnight, Anthony Manuel Alfonso was operating a tractor-trailer owned by Schneider Specialized Carriers, Inc. He was proceeding in one of three northbound lanes on Interstate Route 95 in Prince William County on a “very dark” stretch of roadway. The truck stalled and, although Alfonso could not restart the engine, he was able to steer the truck into the right-hand lane…