Riley v. City of Huntsville

This is an appeal from a judgment for the City of Huntsville and Matthew Fritts, Inc. in a wrongful death action. We reverse.

In April, 1976, the City of Huntsville (City) let a contract to Matthew Fritts, Inc. (Contractor) for installation of sewer lines in the Lincoln Village North area including the alley behind Levert St. and Front St. The sewer line was to be placed some six to eight feet below the surface of ground and below an existing natural gas line in the alley which had not been laid in a straight line but in places crossed over and above the bottom of the trench in which the sewer…