Black v. Vaiciulis

OPINION

Justice Flaherty, for the Court.

Following an afternoon of drinking at Stick’s Tavern, a local watering hole in Glocester, Timothy Vaieiulis took his employer’s new 2002 Chevrolet Silverado out for a spin with the plaintiff, David Black, in the passenger seat. Unfortunately, the trip resulted in disastrous consequences because a collision with a utility pole left Vaieiulis vulnerable to drunk-driving charges, the plaintiff injured, and Snake Hill Road utility pole No. 79 in two pieces. Furthermore, the accident brought Vaiciul-is’ employer, the defendant Me & Debbie Construction, Inc.…