ÿWPC Ùn`oèΡ¬-AέuÏÈI„-K´O»š°ÄùgXââ*ÿ¤ˆpWZ²ÓÞn†Ëˆ‹†•ýÙÍlE!Î:ûÜ/C÷z>kšuëZ6Þ÷×Ùö=Kâ,•Õ¢iÏÉű¬¢îÃÐfe”!ŒsÆ6ŽÐ˶΢¼šžh»ÃÏêíô§*Ä|E4+'¾¢ëV¡Å>9åèÛy&sú£¾ ÄÊÀÝLî¿wE*wF¨ˆÑ r8qE,ìùýãÄ¥›^ŸŠaHð(˜‚‹äÖÝ/¯¬w3øÑ®#ºhN5MjK¤¬vHôeK9Çn rZ{-ZÔJ¸ªaUváØj¿»_hxàèЦ¹äeÈ,«Œ8(¿˜Ø$5ÂR™‚Ib:~X–à/ú=–• “Y¶lU#Qŵ ÖùÙ,uçï)û宬‰¯j‘†Ý·6L“LûêoÑNÁYÝ1—r‘ùø€Õ5 Ð@!dñC 棣‹ ÿú„ ~ã[ƒ…ÃÄ7®ÿÈD2u¸À’ÑeQK.ìk)1hL÷¡ô„ðS]lns¹‰’bà]a¥!þåˆÓ=ÄWN"„´(hnróK¦†úKFÚ¦Kbtêè &ÜÞï:…îÔ›§ôÏØÚ>b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz U<N‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1UN÷NEßG 0D&EjÀl 1‡, 72³ 1uå 72Z 0cŒïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïb÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷ 0ëÿÿÿÿ Bêê 0¤ D3« D-Þ 0K   ASVÆ© 0¤o 0D A«W˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0 »)“)â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular¡B )Ì´Ÿ œ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular ÕÝ ƒR $ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ ôÞ? ò» »ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Ô_ÔGillessÔ_Ô€is€the€Sheriff€of€Shelby€County,€Tennessee.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ¶Ý ƒR $ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ ôÞ? ò» »ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Fox€is€the€Director€of€the€Division€of€Public€Works.(5hCEKQW]cioAutoList11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à - ù-(|G2 $¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0°ò»»Ô d(|3Íô$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Íô$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€U\»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€ ¼l·»» »ÔÑ8€3ŒXXdê»»d 8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡ îsvî» ¼l·ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#† ¼l·»î îsv #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓMay€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔÌò òÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+ë#ÔLARRY€D.€WARD,€Individually€and€On€Behalf€of€the€Heirs€at€Law€of€Ô_ÔRECOÔ_ÔÐ úJ ÐANTONIO€WARD,€Deceasedòòóó€v.€A.C.€Ô_ÔGILLESSÔ_Ô,€JR.,€òòet€al.óóÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNos.€88955€T.D.€and€88956€T.D.€€€€€€Kay€S.€Robilio,€JudgeÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W1999„01324„COA„R3„CV€€„€Decided€August€21,€2000€Ð ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€dispute€between€Plaintiff€Larry€D.€Ward€and€Defendants€A.C.€Gilless,€Jr.,€The€ShelbyÐ xÈ ÐCounty€Sheriffððs€Office€(ð ðSheriffððs€Officeðð),€Ted€Fox,€and€The€Shelby€County€Division€of€PublicÐ d´ ÐWorks€(ð ðDivision€of€Public€Worksðð)€regarding€the€cause€of€an€automobile€accident€that€resulted€inÐ P  Ðthe€death€of€Reco€Antonio€Ward€(ð ðDecedentðð),€Mr.€Wardððs€son.€€The€trial€court€found€that€theÐ <Œ ÐDecedent€was€negligent,€that€the€Decedentððs€own€negligence€was€the€proximate€cause€of€his€death,Ð (x Ðand€that€any€negligence€on€the€part€of€the€Defendants€was€exceeded€by€the€negligence€of€theÐ d ÐDecedent.€€For€the€reasons€set€forth€below,€we€affirm€the€ruling€of€the€trial€court.Ð P ÐÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ Ø( ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#† ¼l·»à X5+ #ÔÔ‡ X5+X. ¼l·ÔDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óóÐ ° Ðand€òòAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€joined.Ð œì ÐÌÌMarcus€Nahon€and€Bradley€G.€Kirk,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Larry€D.€Ward.Ð `!°  ÐÌCarroll€C.€Johnson,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€A.C.€Gilless,€Jr.,€The€Shelby€CountyÐ 8#ˆ" ÐSheriffððs€Office,€Ted€Fox,€and€The€Shelby€County€Division€of€Public€Works.Ð $$t# ÐÓâÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+ #ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔÐ ü%L!% ÐÌòòóóÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+n #ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔÓ  Óò òó óà  àOn€March€2,€1997€at€between€6:00€and€6:30€p.m.,€the€Decedent€was€driving€south€onÐ Ô'$#' ÐBrunswick€Road€in€Shelby€County,€Tennessee.€€Earlier€that€day,€the€Decedent€had€driven€back€andÐ À($( Ðforth€down€Brunswick€Road€on€at€least€four€occasions.€€According€to€the€Decedentððs€cousin€JeffreyÐ ¬)ü$) ÐThomas,€who€was€the€sole€passenger€in€the€vehicle,€the€Decedent€was€initially€traveling€the€speedÐ ˜*è%* Ðlimit€of€forty„five€miles€per€hour€but,€as€they€approached€the€Loosahatchie€bridge,€the€DecedentÐ „+Ô&+ Ðslowed€down€to€between€thirty„five€and€thirty„seven€miles€per€hour.€€Approximately€one€or€twoÐ p,À', Ðmiles€before€the€Decedent€reached€the€bridge,€it€started€raining€heavily.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+Ì #ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔAs€the€Decedent€crossedÐ \-¬(-ýC Ðthe€bridge,€he€encountered€water€in€the€road€immediately€south€of€the€bridge.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+'#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔThe€Decedent€eitherÐ ° Ðstruck€the€water€or€swerved€in€an€attempt€to€avoid€the€water€and€lost€control€of€his€vehicle,€rollingÐ œì Ðthe€vehicle€and€coming€to€rest€in€a€flooded€field€on€the€side€of€the€road.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+è#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔMr.€Thomas€escaped€fromÐ ˆØ Ðthe€vehicle€but€the€Decedent€was€not€able€to€escape€and€ultimately€drowned.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àPrior€to€the€Decedentððs€accident€at€approximately€1:00€a.m.€ò òó óon€March€2,€1997,€CharlesÐ L œ ÐRidings€of€the€county€road€department€received€a€call€notifying€him€that€water€was€collecting€onÐ 8 ˆ ÐBrunswick€Road€and€consequently€called€Tray€Summers,€also€an€employee€of€the€road€department,Ð $ t Ðwho€then€drove€to€the€area€and€posted€warning€signs.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔMr.€Ô_ÔRidingsÔ_Ô€personally€drove€to€BrunswickÐ  ` ÐRoad€at€approximately€1:00€p.m.,€noticed€that€it€was€flooding,€and€once€again€called€Mr.€Summers,Ð ü L  Ðwho€subsequently€posted€more€warning€signs€in€the€area.€€At€2:58€p.m.,€a€citizen€called€the€ShelbyÐ è 8  ÐCounty€dispatcher€and€reported€that€conditions€were€becoming€hazardous€on€Brunswick€Road.€Ð Ô$  ÐÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+…#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔCharles€Brown€of€the€county€road€department€drove€down€Brunswick€Road€between€at€3:00€and€3:30Ð À  Ðp.m.€and€observed€that€water€was€beginning€to€approach€the€pavement€in€several€places.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔA€secondÐ ¬ü  Ðcitizen€called€the€Shelby€County€dispatcher€at€4:41€p.m.€and€warned€of€the€hazardous€conditions€onÐ ˜è  ÐBrunswick€Road.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+Ž#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔThe€dispatcher€sent€a€squad€car€to€investigate€the€road€conditions€and,€at€5:38Ð „Ô  Ðp.m.,€Deputy€Sheriff€William€Speight€radioed€the€dispatcher,€informed€her€that€water€was€gushingÐ pÀ Ðacross€the€roadway,€and€instructed€her€to€call€someone€at€the€road€department€so€that€he€or€she€couldÐ \¬ Ðsend€someone€to€check€the€roadway€and€possibly€set€up€barricades.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+u#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔAt€5:54€p.m.,€the€dispatcherÐ H˜ Ðnotified€the€fire€department€and€various€governmental€entities€that€Brunswick€Road€was€beingÐ 4„ Ðclosed.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+M#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔAt€6:02€p.m.,€the€dispatcher€advised€Mr.€Ridings€that€Brunswick€Road€was€being€closed€andÐ  p Ðrequested€that€someone€from€the€road€department€set€up€the€proper€barricades.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+:#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔMr.€Ô_ÔRidingsÔ_Ô€thenÐ  \ Ðcontacted€Mr.€Summers€and€instructed€him€to€get€the€barricades€from€the€department€shed€and€bringÐ øH Ðthem€to€Brunswick€Road.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+9#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔMr.€Summers€went€to€the€storage€shed€but€was€unable€to€locate€the€keyÐ ä4 Ðto€unlock€the€gate.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+O#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔMr.€Summers€consequently€called€Andy€Ward,€also€an€employee€of€the€roadÐ Ð  Ðdepartment,€for€assistance.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔWhen€Mr.€Ward€arrived€at€the€storage€shed,€it€was€discovered€that€Mr.Ð ¼  ÐSummers€did,€in€fact,€have€the€correct€key€to€the€gate.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+»#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔBy€the€time€that€Mr.€Summers€and€Mr.€WardÐ ¨ø Ðarrived€at€Brunswick€Road€with€the€barricades€at€approximately€7:00€p.m.,€the€accident€involvingÐ ”ä Ðthe€Decedent€had€already€occurred.Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+§#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔOn€July€15,€1997,€Mr.€Ward€filed€a€complaint€in€his€individual€capacity€and€on€behalf€of€theÐ X ¨ ÐDecedentððs€heirs€against€Mr.€Gilless׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€the€Sheriffððs€Office€alleging€that€these€parties€wereÐ D!” Ðnegligent€in€failing€to€close€Brunswick€Road€prior€to€the€Decedentððs€accident.€€On€that€same€date,Ð 0"€  ÐMr.€Ward€filed€a€separate€complaint€against€Mr.€Fox׃T×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€the€Division€of€Public€Works€alleging€thatÐ #l! Ðthese€parties€were€negligent€in€constructing€the€portion€of€Brunswick€Road€on€which€the€accidentÐ $X" Ðoccurred€and€in€failing€to€close€Brunswick€Road€prior€to€the€Decedentððs€accident.€€In€the€separateÐ ô$D # Ðanswers€that€they€subsequently€filed,€the€Defendants€denied€that€they€were€negligent€and€furtherÐ à%0!$ Ðalleged€that€the€Decedent€was€negligent€in€that€he€(1)€did€not€keep€a€proper€lookout,€(2)€did€notÐ Ì&"% Ðexercise€reasonable€and€ordinary€care,€and€(3)€moved€about€in€a€careless€and€reckless€manner.€€ByÐ ¸'#& Ðconsent,€separate€orders€were€entered€in€August€of€1997€dismissing€all€claims€against€Mr.€GillessÐ ° Ðand€Mr.€Fox.€€Thereafter€in€January€of€1998,€the€two€actions€were€consolidated€for€trial.€€AfterÐ œì Ðhearing€the€matter€on€March€3,€4,€and€5,€1999,€the€trial€court€specifically€found€in€pertinent€part€asÐ ˆØ Ðfollows:Ð tÄ ÐÌÓ€ (5h83ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£!'ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent]€was€familiar€with€the€area€on€and€around€Brunswick€Road.݃3£!'Z'ÝŒÐL œ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà ` àÐ Ð Ð  ÐÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà0  àÝ‚3£t(ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent]€had€traveled€Brunswick€Road€on€several€occasions€earlier€on€MarchÐ $ t Ð2,€1997.݃3£t(­(݌Р`` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£¿)ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú7Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent]€had€traveled€through€an€area€on€Brunswick€Road€where€waterÐ è 8  Ðwas€crossing€the€road€on€March€2,€1997,€prior€to€the€accident.݃3£¿)ø)ÝŒÐÔ$ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£9+ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú8Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝThere€were€signs€posted€on€Brunswick€Road€warning€of€high€water€on€MarchÐ ¬ü  Ð2,€1997,€both€prior€to€and€at€the€time€of€the€accident.݃3£9+r+݌Иè ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£«,ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú9Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent]€was€familiar€with€the€conditions€existing€on€Brunswick€RoadÐ pÀ Ðon€March€2,€1997.݃3£«,ä,ÝŒÐ\¬` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£ù-ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú10Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent],€at€the€time€of€the€accident,€was€traveling€in€an€unsafeÐ 4„ Ðmanner.݃3£ù-2.݌Рp` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£;/ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú11Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent],€at€the€time€of€the€accident,€was€traveling€faster€than€heÐ øH Ðshould€have€been€given€the€conditions€existing€on€Brunswick€Road.݃3£;/t/ÝŒÐä4` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£¹0ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú12Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  Ý[The€Decedent]€was€driving€in€a€negligent€manner€at€the€time€of€his€death.݃3£¹0ò0݌м ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£â1ÝÔ25hÔÚ  Ú13Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝThe€negligence€of€[the€Decedent]€exceeded€any€negligence€of€defendants.€Ýƒ3£â12݌Дä` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà8  àà ` àWhereupon€the€Court€having€found€the€aforementioned€facts,€this€CourtÐ l¼ Ðconcludes€as€a€matter€of€law€that€the€negligence€of€[the€Decedent]€was€a€direct€andÐ X ¨ Ðproximate€cause€of€his€death€and€that€the€negligence€of€[the€Decedent]€exceeded€anyÐ D!” Ðnegligence€of€defendants.€€€€Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌConsistent€with€these€findings,€the€court€entered€an€order€on€May€6,€1999€dismissing€the€complaintsÐ $X" Ðfiled€by€Mr.€Ward.€€This€appeal€by€Mr.€Ward€followed.€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌò òà  àó óThe€sole€issue€raised€on€appeal€by€Mr.€Ward€is€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€Decedent€was€driving€in€a€negligent€and€unsafe€manner€at€the€time€of€the€accident€that€resultedÐ ¸'#& Ðin€the€Decedentððs€death.€€Because€this€issue€involves€questions€of€fact,€our€review€of€the€trial€courtððsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðruling€is€Ô‡X3ŒXX X5+Ôò òòòde€novo€óóó ówith€a€presumption€of€correctness€and€we€may€not€reverse€the€courtððs€findings€withÐ )à$( Ðrespect€to€this€issue€unless€they€are€contrary€to€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€ò òòòSee,€e.g.,Ð ~*Î%) ÐRandolph€v.€Randolphóóó ó,€937€S.W.2d€815,€819€(Tenn.€1996);€T.R.A.P.€13(d).Ô#† X5+XXX3ŒÕ6#ÔÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+ #ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·Ô€Ð h+¸&* Їà  àOn€appeal,€Mr.€Ward€argues€that€there€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€that€supports€the€findingsÐ ° Ðof€the€trial€court€with€respect€to€the€alleged€negligence€of€the€Decedent.€€Additionally,€Mr.€WardÐ œì Ðcontends€that,€based€on€the€undisputed€testimony€of€Mr.€Thomas,€the€court€should€have€found€thatÐ ˆØ Ðthe€Decedent€was€driving€in€a€safe€and€cautious€manner.€€The€Sheriffððs€Office€and€the€Division€ofÐ tÄ ÐPublic€Works€argue,€however,€that€there€is€ample€evidence€in€the€record€supporting€that€trial€courtððsÐ `° Ðconclusion€that€the€Decedent€was€driving€in€a€negligent€and€unsafe€manner€at€the€time€of€theÐ L œ Ðaccident.Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+€8#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·ÔÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+³;#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·Ôà  àUnder€Tennessee€law,€the€standard€that€must€be€applied€in€negligence€cases€is€that€of€aÐ  ` Ðreasonable€and€prudent€person€in€the€same€or€similar€circumstances.€€ò òòòSee€Menuskin€v.€Williamsóóó ó,€940Ð ü L  ÐF.€Supp.€1199,€1211€(E.D.€Tenn.€1996);€ò òòòMcClung€v.€Delta€Square€Ltd.€Partnershipóóó ó,€937€S.W.2dÐ è 8  Ð891,€895€(Tenn.€1996);€òòò òMcCall€v.€Wilderóóó ó,€913€S.W.2d€150,€153€(Tenn.€1995);€€ò òòòDooley€v.€Everettó óóó,Ð Ô$  Ð805€S.W.2d€380,€384€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990);€òòò òKelley€v.€Johnsonó óóó,€796€S.W.2d€155,€158€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð À  ÐApp.€1990).€€When€determining€whether€an€individual€has€conformed€to€this€standard,€the€trier€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðfact€must€consider€the€evidence€presented€regarding€the€facts€of€the€case€and€may€also€rely€on€theÐ ˜è  Ðconsiderations€of€logic,€common€sense,€public€policy,€and€precedent.€€ò òòòSee€Kelleyóóó ó,€796€S.W.2d€at€158.€Ð „Ô  ÐWhen€an€individual€is€operating€a€motor€vehicle,€he€or€she€is€required€to€operate€the€vehicle€in€suchÐ pÀ Ða€manner€and€at€such€a€speed€that€is€consistent€with€what€a€reasonable€and€prudent€person€would€doÐ \¬ Ðunder€the€same€or€similar€circumstances.€€ò òòòSee€Cawthon€v.€Mayoóóó ó,€325€S.W.2d€629,€637€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð H˜ ÐApp.€1958);€ò òòòColeman€v.€Byrnesó óóó,€242€S.W.2d€85,€89€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1950).€€Consistent€with€thisÐ 4„ Ðgeneral€rule,€a€motorist€must€proceed€at€a€speed€sufficiently€slow€to€enable€him€or€her€to€stop€in€timeÐ  p Ðto€avoid€any€obstruction€or€condition€in€the€roadway€that€he€or€she€had€a€reason€to€expect.€€òòò òSee€ClineÐ  \ Ðv.€United€Statesó óóó,€214€F.€Supp.€66,€72€(E.D.€Tenn.€1962).€€An€acceptable€speed€of€travel€is€one€thatÐ øH Ðis€commensurate€with€the€then€existing€conditions€of€the€roadway€and€atmosphere.€€ò òòòSee€Hopper€v.Ð ä4 ÐUnited€Statesóóó ó,€122€F.€Supp.€181,€188€(E.D.€Tenn.€1953).€€The€mere€fact€that€a€motorist€is€operatingÐ Ð  Ðhis€or€her€vehicle€at€a€speed€that€is€within€the€limit€proscribed€by€law€does€not€preclude€theÐ ¼  Ðconclusion€that€the€speed€is€excessive€under€the€circumstances.€€ò òòòSee€Clineóóó ó,€214€F.€Supp.€at€73;€Ð ¨ø Ðò òòòHopperó óóó,€122€F.€Supp.€at€188.€€When€determining€whether€an€individual€was€operating€his€or€herÐ ”ä Ðvehicle€at€an€excessive€speed€under€the€circumstances,€it€is€not€essential€that€the€trier€of€fact€haveÐ €Ð Ðbefore€it€direct€evidence€regarding€this€matter;€rather,€a€finding€with€respect€to€the€speed€of€a€vehicleÐ l¼ Ðmay€be€inferred€from€the€facts€of€the€case.€€ò òòòSee€Nash€v.€Loveóóó ó,€440€S.W.2d€593,€598€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð X ¨ Ð1968);€òòò òTempleton€v.€Quarlesó óóó,€374€S.W.2d€654,€658€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1963).€Ð D!” ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€it€is€undisputed€that€the€Decedentððs€accident€occurred€at€between€6:00€andÐ #l! Ð6:30€p.m,€that€it€had€been€raining€heavily,€and€that€parts€of€Brunswick€Road€were€flooded.€Ð $X" ÐAdditionally,€it€is€undisputed€that€on€the€same€day€of€the€accident,€the€Decedent€had€previouslyÐ ô$D # Ðdriven€his€vehicle€back€and€forth€down€Brunswick€Road€on€at€least€four€occasions.€€There€were€alsoÐ à%0!$ Ðwarning€signs€posted€on€Brunswick€Road€indicating€that€high€water€was€present.€€Thus,€the€DecedentÐ Ì&"% Ðmust€have€been€aware€that€water€had€collected€on€some€sections€of€Brunswick€Road€and€that€theÐ ¸'#& Ðcondition€of€the€roadway€was€at€least€somewhat€dangerous.€€The€posted€speed€limit€in€the€area€whereÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€accident€occurred€was€forty„five€miles€per€hour.€€Mr.€Thomas,€who€was€the€sole€passenger€in€theÐ )à$( ÐDecedentððs€vehicle,€testified€that€the€Decedent€was€traveling€at€between€thirty„five€and€thirty„sevenÐ |*Ì%) Ðmiles€per€hour€at€the€time€of€the€accident.€€The€trial€court€found€that,€under€the€circumstances€of€theÐ h+¸&* Ðcase€at€bar,€this€speed€was€excessive€and€that,€consequently,€the€Decedent€was€driving€in€a€negligentÐ ° Ðand€unsafe€manner.€€We€agree.€€Under€the€circumstances€with€which€the€Decedent€was€presentedÐ œì Ðwhere€there€was€water€collecting€on€and€flooding€the€roadway,€we€think€that€a€reasonable€andÐ ˆØ Ðprudent€driver€€would€have€reduced€the€speed€of€his€or€her€vehicle€to€the€extent€necessary€to€allowÐ tÄ Ðhim€or€her€to€see€upcoming€flooded€areas€prior€to€reaching€these€areas.€€Additionally,€we€think€that,Ð `° Ðafter€realizing€that€a€section€of€the€roadway€was€flooded,€a€reasonable€and€prudent€driver€would€slowÐ L œ Ðdown€to€a€very€low€speed€before€attempting€to€proceed€through€the€area.€€As€stated€above,€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐDecedent€was€traveling€at€a€speed€of€thirty„five€to€thirty„seven€miles€per€hour€when€he€encounteredÐ $ t Ðthe€water€that€had€collected€immediately€south€of€the€Loosahatchie€bridge.€€At€this€speed,€theÐ  ` ÐDecedent€did€not€see€the€flooded€area€of€the€roadway€until€it€was€too€late€to€avoid€the€area€or€attemptÐ ü L  Ðto€negotiate€the€area€at€a€safe€speed.€€Thus,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€the€Decedent€wasÐ è 8  Ðoperating€his€vehicle€at€an€excessive€speed€given€the€hazardous€conditions€present€at€the€time€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðaccident€and€the€Decedentððs€awareness€of€these€conditions.€€We€therefore€conclude€that€the€evidenceÐ À  Ðdoes€not€preponderate€against€the€courtððs€finding€that€the€Decedent€was€operating€his€vehicle€in€aÐ ¬ü  Ðnegligent€and€unsafe€manner.€€Ô#† ¼l·»X X5+ <#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·Ô€€€€€€Ð ˜è  ÐÌÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+JS#ÔÔ‡ X5+X» ¼l·Ôà  àBased€on€the€foregoing,€we€conclude€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trialÐ pÀ Ðcourtððs€finding€that€the€Decedent€was€driving€in€a€negligent€and€unsafe€manner€at€the€time€of€theÐ \¬ Ðaccident€that€resulted€in€his€death.€€The€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€and€the€costs€of€thisÐ H˜ Ðappeal€are€assessed€to€Mr.€Ward,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð 4„ ÐÌÔ#† ¼l·»X X5+¨S#ÔÔ€ X5+X» ¼l·ÔÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ä4 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àDAVID€R.€FARMER,€JUDGE