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ÐÌÔ_ÔTerranceÔ_Ô€E.€Ô_ÔMcNabbÔ_Ô,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€appellee€Richard€Dale€Moore.Ð $$t# ÐÓ] ÓÓ  ÓÌò òOPINIONÐ ü%L!% ÐPER€CURIUMó óÔ#†¼NU»XX©· #ÔÔ‡X©X»¼NUÔÐ è&8"& ÐÓâ ÓÓ  Óà  àÌà  àSecond€Avenue€South€is€a€two„lane€one„way€street€in€Nashville.€€There€is€a€bus€stop€locatedÐ À($( Ðnear€the€intersection€of€Second€Avenue€South€with€Hart€Avenue.€€On€December€23,€1996,Ô#†¼NU»XX©> #ÔÔ‡X©X»¼NUÔ€theÐ ¬)ü$) Ðplaintiff,€Ô_ÔKrishinaÔ_Ô€Leach€[Ms.€Leach],€and€her€three„year„old€son,€Jacob,€were€on€the€sidewalk€onÐ ˜*è%* Ðthe€East€side€of€Second€Avenue€headed€for€the€bus€stop.€€Ms.€Leach€was€holding€Jacobððs€hand,€butÐ „+Ô&+ Ðhe€pulled€away€from€her€and€ran€into€Second€Avenue.€€Ms.€Leach€pursued€him,€and€both€were€struckÐ p,À', Ðby€a€tow€truck€owned€by€the€Metropolitan€Government€of€Nashville€and€Davidson€County€andÐ \-¬(-ý Ðoperated€by€its€employee,€William€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô,€Jr.€€Jacob€was€killed€and€his€mother€was€seriously€injured.€Ð ° ÐShe€and€the€father€of€Jacob,€Richard€Moore,€filed€suit€against€the€Metropolitan€Government€ofÐ œì ÐNashville€and€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_ÔÔ_Ô׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€for€the€alleged€wrongful€death€of€Jacob.€€She€also€sued€to€recover€damagesÐ ˆØ Ðfor€her€injuries.€€The€action€was€filed€pursuant€to€the€Tennessee€Governmental€Tort€Liability€Act,Ð tÄ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„20„101,€and€was€tried€without€a€jury.€€The€trial€court€held:€(1)€because€thereÐ `° Ðwas€no€proof€of€comparative€fault€on€the€part€of€Ô_ÔKrishinaÔ_Ô€Leach,€the€principles€of€comparative€faultÐ L œ Ðwere€inapplicable;€€(2)€a€three„year€old€child€cannot€be€charged€with€negligence;€(3)€there€was€noÐ 8 ˆ Ðevidence€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€was€speeding;€€(4)€that€the€presence€of€children€is€a€warning€to€the€operatorsÐ $ t Ðof€vehicles€to€drive€with€due€care;€€(5)€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€was€familiar€with€the€accident€area€and€knewÐ  ` Ðthat€children€were€frequently€in€that€area;€€(6)€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€had€an€unobstructed€view€of€300€feetÐ ü L  Ðand€should€have€seen€Jacob€and€Ms.€Leach€from€that€distance.€€The€maximum€amounts€allowableÐ è 8  Ðunder€the€Ô_ÔTGTLAÔ_Ô€were€awarded.€€The€defendant€appeals€and€presents€for€review,€as€restated,€theÐ Ô$  Ðissues€of€whether€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€judgment,€and€whether€the€court€erred€inÐ À  Ðexonerating€Ms.€Leach€from€negligence.€€Our€review€is€òòde€novoóó€on€the€record€with€a€presumptionÐ ¬ü  Ðof€correctness€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€judgment.€€Rule€13(d),€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð ˜è  ÐP.Ð „Ô  ÐÓ  ÓÌò òThe€Evidenceó óÐ \¬ ÐÓÓÓ  Óò òÌà @ àI.€€ó óÐ 4„ ÐÌÓ^Óà  àòòWilliam€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ôóó€was€an€employee€of€the€defendant€on€the€day€of€the€accident.€€He€was€drivingÐ  \ Ða€tow€truck,€towing€a€pick„up€truck,€northbound€on€Second€Avenue€South.€€As€he€approached€theÐ øH Ðintersection€of€Hart€Street,€he€was€traveling€northwardly€in€the€left„hand€lane.€€He€was€familiar€withÐ ä4 Ðthe€residential€area€and€was€aware€that€children€lived€there;€that€traffic€was€not€heavy;€that€SecondÐ Ð  ÐAvenue€South€is€a€thoroughfare;€that€as€he€proceeded€north€on€Second€Avenue€he€did€not€clearly€seeÐ ¼  Ðthe€mother€and€child€on€the€sidewalk,€except€peripherally;€that€the€child€was€in€the€middle€of€theÐ ¨ø Ðright„hand€lane,€about€75€feet€away,€when€first€seen,€and€that€he€immediately€applied€his€brakes,€butÐ ”ä Ðstruck€both€mother€and€child.Ð €Ð ÐòòóóÔ#†¼NU»XX©#ÔÔ€X©X»¼NUÔÌà  àHe€testified€that€he€saw€the€mother€at€the€same€time€he€saw€the€child.€€The€child€was€runningÐ X ¨ Ðbut€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€was€not€asked€further€about€the€mother.Ð D!” Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÌò òÓ  ÓII.ó óÐ #l! ÐÌÓèÓà  àòòOfficer€Keith€Sutherlandóó€investigated€the€accident.€€He€testified€that€the€speed€limit€onÐ ô$D # ÐSecond€Avenue€South€was€35€miles€per€hour,€that€there€was€no€evidence€that€the€tow„truck€hadÐ à%0!$ Ðexceeded€the€speed€limit,€and€that€he€measured€skid€marks€of€128€feet.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌò òÓ  ÓÐ ¤(ô#' ЇIII.ó óÐ ° ÐÌÓp Óà  àòòTom€Hayesóó€testified€that€he€was€following€the€tow€truck,€and€saw€Jacob€and€his€mother€onÐ ˆØ Ðthe€sidewalk€from€a€distance€of€150„300€feet.€€Jacob€was€pulling€against€his€motherððs€hand€ð ðas€if€heÐ tÄ Ðwanted€to€cross€the€street,ðð€and€suddenly€he€pulled€free€and€ran€into€the€street,€directly€in€front€of€theÐ `° Ðtow€truck.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àMr.€Hayes€testified€that€he€was€traveling€about€30€miles€per€hour€when€he€saw€Jacob€tryingÐ $ t Ðto€get€his€hand€loose.€€He€described€the€tow€truck€as€being€driven€in€a€slow€and€cautious€manner,€andÐ  ` Ðthat€the€driver€ð ðdid€all€he€could€do€to€avoid€Jacob.ððÐ ü L  ÐÌò òÓ  ÓIV.Ð Ô$  ÐÓ¨#ÓÌà  àòòó óBill€Kelleróó€testified€that€he€was€driving€about€300€feet€behind€the€tow€truck,€which€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðmoving€slowly.€€He€first€saw€Jacob€when€he€began€to€run€across€the€street€into€the€path€of€the€towÐ ˜è  Ðtruck.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òV.ó óˆÐ \¬ ÐÌà  àEach€party€employed€accident€reconstruction€experts.Ð 4„ Ðò òó óÌà  àMs.€Leach€had€no€recollection€of€the€accident,€and€we€must€look€to€the€testimony€of€Mr.Ð  \ ÐÔ_ÔHeerÔ_Ô,€Mr.€Hayes€and€Mr.€Keller€for€a€determination€of€the€issue€of€liability.Ð øH ÐÌò òÓ  ÓAnalysisÐ Ð  Ðó óÓ}&ÓÌà  àThe€trial€judge€stated,€in€effect,€that€he€could€not€determine€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€was€driving€tooÐ ¨ø Ðfast€for€conditions,€ð ðbut€that€he€should€have€been€aware€of€what€was€in€his€view,ðð€and€was€ð ðnegligentÐ ”ä Ðin€not€carefully€looking€and€not€seeing€what€was€there€to€be€seen.ððÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àð ðWhat€was€there€to€be€seenðð€was€Ms.€Leach€and€Jacob€walking€southwardly€on€the€sidewalk.€Ð X ¨ ÐThe€thrust€of€the€argument€in€support€of€the€judgment€is€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€should€somehow€haveÐ D!” Ðanticipated€that€Jacob€would€pull€loose€from€his€motherððs€clasp€and€dart€into€the€street€when€Mr.Ð 0"€  ÐÔ_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€was€75€feet€away.€€The€issue€is€not€whether€Jacob€was€negligent:€he€was€not,€because€as€aÐ #l! Ðmatter€of€law€he€cannot€be€negligent.€€òòò òÔ_ÔWalkupÔ_Ô€v.€Covingtonóóó ó,€73€S.W.2d€718€(Tenn.€1933).€€But€evenÐ $X" Ðin€cases€involving€children,€Ô_ÔforeseeabilityÔ_Ô€is€the€test€of€negligence,€òòò òÔ_ÔTompkinsÔ_Ô€v.€Annieððs€NanniesÐ ô$D # ÐInc.óóó ó,€59€S.W.3d€669€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000),€and€in€light€of€the€evidence€in€this€record€it€cannot€beÐ à%0!$ Ðreasonably€said€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€should€have€anticipated€that€Jacob€would€disengage€himself€from€hisÐ Ì&"% Ðmother€and€dart€into€the€street.€€Stated€differently,€it€was€not€reasonably€foreseeable€that€Jacob€wouldÐ ¸'#& Ðbreak€free€of€his€mother€and€run€into€the€street.€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àTo€maintain€a€suit€for€common€law€negligence€the€plaintiff€must€establish€a€duty€of€careÐ |*Ì%) Ðowed€by€the€defendant,€conduct€falling€below€the€applicable€standard€of€care€amounting€to€a€breachÐ h+¸&* Ðof€that€duty,€an€injury€or€loss,€causation€in€fact,€and€legal€cause.€€òòò òÔ_ÔMcClenahanÔ_Ô€v.€Cooleyóóó ó,€806Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€767€(Tenn.€1991).Ð œì ÐÌà  àMs.€Leach€argues€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€was€aware€of€the€likely€presence€of€children,€whichÐ tÄ Ðheightened€his€duty€of€care.€€We€agree.€€In€most€jurisdictions,€including€Tennessee,€the€law€imposesÐ `° Ðupon€a€driver€the€duty€of€care€to€consider€childish€behavior€and€take€appropriate€precautions.€€òòò òÔ_ÔStaleyÔ_ÔÐ L œ Ðv.€Ô_ÔHarkleroadÔ_Ôóóó ó,€501€S.W.2d€571€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1973).€€In€the€off„cited€case€of€òòò òÔ_ÔTownsleyÔ_Ô€v.€YellowÐ 8 ˆ ÐCab€Co.óóó ó,€145€Tenn.€91,€237€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€58€1921),€the€Supreme€Court€held€ð ðchildren,€wherever€they€go,Ð $ t Ðmust€be€expected€to€act€upon€childish€instincts€and€impulses;€and€others€who€are€chargeable€withÐ  ` Ða€duty€of€care€and€caution€towards€them,€must€calculate€upon€this€and€take€precautions€accordingly.ððÐ ü L  ÐÌà  àIn€light€of€all€the€circumstances,€we€reproduce€the€salient€testimony€of€Mr.€Herr,€and€the€twoÐ Ô$  Ðeye€witnesses,€Mr.€Hayes€and€Mr.€Ô_ÔKellarÔ_Ô:Ð À  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àòòò òMr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ôó óóóИè ` x` x ÐÌØ! !ØÓ€ #(ʽ83Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàWhat€is€the€normal€speed€range€for€that€wrecker€when€youððreÐ pÀ Ðdriving€in€third€gear?Ð\¬¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàUh€25€to€35.ÐH˜¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàIf€you€try€to€go€faster€what€happens€in€that€gear?Ð4„¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàYouððll€just€be€over€revving€the€truck.Ð p¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà ` àQ.€€€€€à0¸ ¸ x¸ xàAlright.€€At€anytime€when€you€came€down€the€hill€towardÐ  \ ÐHart€Street€did€you€over€rev€the€truck?ÐøH¸ x¸ x ÐÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£^8ÝÔ2ʽÔÚ  ÚAÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝNo€sir.݃3£^8«8ÝŒÐä4¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð Ð  ÐÓV9Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàDid€you€accelerate€fast€as€you€came€down€the€hill€on€SecondÐ ¼  ÐAvenue?Шø¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€€€à0¸ ` x` xà€No€sir.Ð”ä¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà ` àQ.€€€€€à0¸ ¸ x¸ xàAs€you€approached€the€intersection€of€Hart€Street,€what,€to€theÐ €Ð Ðbest€of€your€recollection,€was€your€speed?Ðl¼¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàRight€around€30€miles€an€hour€or€less.ÐX ¨¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay€and€at€some€point€did€you€see€a€child€run€into€the€street?ÐD!”¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ð0"€ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€€€€à0¸ ` x` xàDid€you€notice€a€child€and€his€mother€before€he€ran€into€theÐ #l! Ðstreet?Ð$X"¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàà ` àA.€€€€€à0¸ ¸ x¸ xàJust€merely€to€the€ð!ð€out€of€ð!ð€you€know€not€as€far€as€focusingÐ ô$D # Ðactually€on€them€but€just€knowing,€I€donððt€know,€like€anÐ à%0!$ Ðimage€there€to€the€side.ÐÌ&"%¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Well€when€you€saw€the€child,€was€he€running€fromÐ ¸'#& Ðright€to€left€or€left€to€right?Ф(ô#'¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàFrom€right€to€left.Ð)à$(¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAlright€and€prior€to€the€time€ð!ð€Now€you€mentioned€somethingÐ |*Ì%) Ðabout€noticing€something€off€to€your€side.€€Did€you€noticeÐ h+¸&* Ðsomething€off€to€your€right€hand€side€before€you€knew€thereÐ ° Ðwas€a€child€there.Ðœì¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Јظ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàWas€it,€could€you€describe€that?Ðtĸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàItððs€just€like€knowing€somethingððs€there,€not€really€knowingÐ `° Ðexactly€what€it€is,€you€know,€whether€it€be€ð!ð€just€anything,Ð L œ Ðjust€knowing€something€different€is€there.Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAre€you€familiar€with€the€term€peripheral€vision?Ð$ t¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ð `¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàWhat€do€you€understand€that€to€mean?Ðü L ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàLike€stuff€in€your€side€vision.€€Like€you€know€I€can€see€the,€IÐ è 8  Ðknow€the€Judge€is€right€here,€I€mean€Iððm€not€actually€focusedÐ Ô$  Ðon€him€but€I€can€see€him.ÐÀ ¸ x¸ x ÐÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð ¬ü  ÐÓFÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€if€you€could€tell€the€Court,€if€you€can,€about€how€longÐ ˜è  Ðtime€period,€for€a€period€of€time€was€this€image€in€yourÐ „Ô  Ðperipheral€vision?ÐpÀ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàMaybe€a€second.Ð\¬¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€At€some€point,€were€you€aware€that€there€was€actually€aÐ H˜ Ðchild€running€in€the€street?Ð4„¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ð p¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€where€was€the€child€in€relation€to€the€street€lanes€whenÐ  \ Ðyou€recognized€that€there€was€a€child€running?ÐøH¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàHe€was€half€way€across€the€right€hand€lane.Ðä4¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€And€were€you€approaching€the€intersection€of€HartÐ Ð  ÐStreet€at€that€point?м ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Шø¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€how€fast€were€you€going€when€you€saw€the€childÐ ”ä Ðrunning?Ѐи x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàApproximately€28€to30€miles€an€hour.Ðl¼¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAlright.€€What€did€you€do?ÐX ¨¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàAs€soon€as€I€focused€on€that€it€was€a€child€and€he€was€runningÐ D!” Ðas€fast€as€he€could€right€into€my€path€I€just€jammed€on€theÐ 0"€  Ðbrakes€and€swerved€to€the€left€as€hard€as€I€could€to€keep€fromÐ #l! Ðhitting€him.Ð$X"¸ x¸ x ÐÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð ô$D # ÐÓCNÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOnce€you€saw€the€child,€did€he€appear€to€be€running€fast?Ðà%0!$¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes.ÐÌ&"%¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€[Ô_ÔP]riorÔ_Ô€to€the€collision€with€child,€did€you€see€or€recognizeÐ ¸'#& Ðwhat€we€now€know€as€his€mother€following€him?Ф(ô#'¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàJust€kind€of€in€the€peripheral€vision,€not€really€ð!ð€you€knowÐ )à$( Ðonce€I€saw€him€I€was€just€focused€on€him€cause€anythingÐ |*Ì%) Ðbehind€him€I€knew€if€I€tried€and€missed€him€that€I€wouldnððtÐ h+¸&* Ðhave€to€worry€about€anything€further€to€the€right.€€I€was€justÐ ° Ðfocusing€on€him€trying€to€miss€him.Ðœì¸ x¸ x ÐÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð ˆØ ÐÓ8RÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€Iððm€going€to€ask€you€how€much€time€passed€from€theÐ tÄ Ðtime€you€first€saw€the€child€until€he€disappeared€in€front€ofÐ `° Ðyour,€in€front€of€your€hood?ÐL œ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàIt€was€like€two€seconds.Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x ÐÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð $ t ÐÓ TÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàTo€the€best€of€your€knowledge,€were€the€brakes€on€the€truckÐ  ` Ðfunctioning€properly.Ðü L ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ðè 8 ¸ x¸ x ÐÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð Ô$  ÐÓuUÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAs€you€think€back,€can€you€think€of€anything€more€you€couldÐ À  Ðhave€done€to€prevent€this?Ьü ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàNo€sir.Ð˜è ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àòòò òMr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€on€Crossó óÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌóóÓYÓà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð H˜ ÐÓbWÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàYou€have€gone€through€that€area€more€than€50€times€priorÐ 4„ Ðto€the€accident,€right?Ð p¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ð \¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàProbably€more€than€100€times,€havenððt€you?ÐøH¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàMaybe.Ðä4¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd,€you€were€aware€that€children€lived€in€that€area,€right?ÐÐ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.м ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàNow€when€you€first€saw€the€child€there€was€(sic)€noÐ ¨ø Ðvehicles€obstructing€your€vision€between€you€and€the€child,Ð ”ä Ðisnððt€that€correct?Ѐи x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàThatððs€correct.Ðl¼¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€isnððt€it€also€correct€that€you€never€saw€the€child€comeÐ X ¨ Ðoff€the€sidewalk€on€the€right€hand€side€of€the€street?ÐD!”¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàThatððs€correct.Ð0"€ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€isnððt€it€also€true€that€when€the€child€came€off€theÐ #l! Ðsidewalk€from€what€you€saw€him,€in€terms€of€his€path,€heÐ $X" Ðcame€directly€across€the€street?Ðô$D #¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ðà%0!$¸ x¸ x ÐÓPÓà8 @ àà8 @ à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð Ì&"% ÐÌÓÂ^ÓÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àòòò òMr.€Hayesó óóóФ(ô#'` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàNow€you€were€coming€down€Second€Avenue€and€were€you€ð!ðÐ |*Ì%) Ðwhat€was€the€traffic€like?€€Was€it€heavy,€was€it€light?Ðh+¸&*¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€[Ô_ÔT]hereÔ_Ô€were€four€or€five€cars.€€I€know€there€was€one€justÐ ° Ðto€my€right,€possibly€back€just€a€little€bit€and€the€wrecker€wasÐ œì Ðin€front€of€me€and€then€there€were€a€couple€of€more€carsÐ ˆØ Ðbehind.Ðtĸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAlright.€€Show€the€Judge€on€that€map€where€you€were€andÐ `° Ðwhere€the€wrecker€was€as€Ô_ÔyððallÔ_Ô€approached€the€area€where€the,Ð L œ Ðthe,€uh,€incident€occurred.Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€I€was€probably€right€along€in€this€area€there€somewhereÐ $ t Ðand€the€wrecker€was€about€three€car€lengths€in€front€of€me.Ð `¸ x¸ x ÐÓ  Óà8 @ àà8 @ àà0 @ àà @° à*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð ü L  ÐÓÝcÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàNow,€if€youððre€traveling€the€direction€that€you€were€traveling,Ð è 8  Ðin€the€lane€that€you€were€traveling,€that€is€the€left€hand€lane,Ð Ô$  Ðand€you€were€looking€at€pedestrians€on€the€sidewalk€in€thisÐ À  Ðarea€right€in€here,€that€Iððm€pointing€to€by€this€telephone€pole.Ьü ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUm„hm.Ð˜è ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ „Ô  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€As€you€were€approaching€the€area€that,€that,€uh,€ultimatelyÐ pÀ Ðwas€the,€uh,€in„incident€where€Jacob€was€killed.€€As€you€wereÐ \¬ Ðapproaching€that€area,€uh,€could€you€see€the€mother€and€theÐ H˜ Ðchild€standing€there€on€the€curb?Ð4„¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€yes.Ð p¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ  \ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàCould€you€clearly€see€Jacob€and€Ô_ÔKrishinaÔ_Ô?ÐøH¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes.Ðä4¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAt€the€time€that€you€saw€Jacob€and€Ô_ÔKrishinaÔ_Ô€and€prior€toÐ Ð  ÐJacob€running€into€the€street,€did€you€begin€to€slow€down?м ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes.Шø¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ”ä Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Do€you€know€how€fast€the€other€cars€were€going?Ѐи x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.[Ô_ÔI]fÔ_Ô€you€not€ð!ð€probably€not€any€faster€than€I€was,€uh,€thereÐ l¼ Ðmay€have€been€some€overtaking€me€from€the€rear€but€the€carÐ X ¨ Ðon€the€right€was€running€about€the€same€speed.ÐD!”¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàTell€the€Judge€in€your€own€words€what€you€saw€with€Ô_ÔKrishinaÔ_ÔÐ 0"€  ÐLeach€and€Jacob€just€prior€to€Jacob€running€into€the€street.Ð#l!¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWell€they€appeared€to€be€coming€down€the€sidewalk€from€thisÐ $X" Ðarea€down€there€to€that€point€and,€uh,€she€was€holding€hisÐ ô$D # Ðhand€and€it,€uh,€he€was€apparently€giving€her€some€resistanceÐ à%0!$ Ðabout,€uh,€going€home.€€He€wanted€to€go€back€in€the€otherÐ Ì&"% Ðdirection€and€he€pulled€back€and€pulled€his€hand€away€fromÐ ¸'#& Ðher€and€she€turned€around€and€started€back€up€the€sidewalkÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtowards€him€and€I€thought€for€a€moment€he€was€going€to€runÐ )à$( Ðback€up€the€hill€on€the€sidewalk€and€he€turned€around€in€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðstreet€and€she€went€after€him.Ðh+¸&*¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàFrom€where€you€were€driving€in€your€car,€did€you€have€clearÐ ° Ðview€of€this?Ðœì¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes.Јظ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€when€Jacob€ran€into€the€street€did€his€mother€run€rightÐ tÄ Ðafter€him?Ð`°¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€yes.ÐL œ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Now€at€the€time€that,€at€the€time€that,€uh,€Jacob€ranÐ 8 ˆ Ðinto€the€street€and€his€mother€pursuing,€you€were€directlyÐ $ t Ðbehind€Mr.€Herr,€the€defendant€in€this€case,€is€that€right?€€Uh,Ð  ` Ðthe,€the€tow€truck?Ðü L ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàRight.Ðè 8 ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàTell€the€Judge€what€you€saw€the€tow€truck€do€at€the€time€theÐ Ô$  Ðlittle€boy€started€into€the€street.ÐÀ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€heððd€started€to€swerve€to€the€left.Ьü ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ˜è  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàIt€would.€€(Pause)€Give€the€Judge€an€idea€of€how€much€timeÐ „Ô  Ðweððre€talking€about€from€the€time€you€first€saw€mother€andÐ pÀ Ðchild€standing€on€the€sidewalk€til€(sic)€the€time€the€truck€hitÐ \¬ Ðthe€little€boy.ÐH˜¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàNot€over€5€seconds,€probably,€6€maybe.Ð4„¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€how€much€time€was€it€from€the€time€Jacob€ð!ð€from€theÐ  p Ðtime€Jacob€broke€away€from€his€mother€and€ran€into€the€streetÐ  \ Ðuntil€the€time€he€was€actually€hit.ÐøH¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàAlmost€instantly.€€I€mean€it,€he€covered€the€distance,€youÐ ä4 Ðknow€Iððm€talking€10€or€12€feet,€so€across€the€lane€there€and€it,Ð Ð  Ðuh,€didnððt€take€him€long€to€run€across€there.м ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàDo€you€have€any€estimate€as€to€how€long€it€took€him€to€getÐ ¨ø Ðfrom€the€curb€to€be€hit€by€the€truck?Ð”ä¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàTwo€to€three€seconds,€maximum.Ѐи x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò òMr.€Hayes€on€Crossó óóóÐ D!” ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€at€this€point€on€Second€Avenue€is€the€ground€relativelyÐ #l! Ðlevel€where€the€tow€truck€was?Ð$X"¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€at€what€point?Ðô$D #¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€right€where€the,€the,€uh,€tow€truck€struck,€uh,€Jacob€andÐ à%0!$ ÐMs.€Leach.ÐÌ&"%¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàIn€the€intersection€itððs€fairly€level.и'#&¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà.€.€.€Was€there€anything€blocking€your€view€of€the€accident?Ð)à$(¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWell€I€could€see€the€boy€run€off€the€sidewalk€in€front€of€theÐ ° Ðwrecker€and€I€couldnððt,€couldnððt€see€anything€after€that€otherÐ œì Ðthan€the€wrecker€swerving€to€the€left€and€„Јظ x¸ x Ðâ âà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Did€you€see€the€wrecker€actually€strike€Jacob€Leach?Ðtĸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàNo.Ð`°¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay,€did€you€see€it€strike,€uh,€Ms.€Leach?ÐL œ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàNot€actually€strike,€I€saw€when€she€was€thrown€back€throughÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€air.Ð$ t¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€About€how€fast€were€you€traveling€when€thisÐ  ` Ðhappened,€do€you€recall?Ðü L ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€probably€less€than€30€miles€an€hour.Ðè 8 ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàDo€you€recall€the€tow€truck€was€traveling,€uh,€approximatelyÐ Ô$  Ðthe€same€speed€as€you?ÐÀ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€probably€a€little€bit€less.€€I€think€I€was,€might€have€beenÐ ¬ü  Ðgaining€on€him€just€a€little€bit€coming€down€the€hill€and,€likeÐ ˜è  ÐI€said,€Iððd€check€my€speed.€€He€was,€uh,€uh,€had€pulled€a€hillÐ „Ô  Ðand€coming€down€and€he€wasnððt€moving€very€fast€at€all.ÐpÀ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ \¬ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Did€the,€did€the€truck€driver€do€anything€else€to€avoidÐ H˜ Ðhitting€the€child€that€you€could€see?Ð4„¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€all€he€could€do€was€swerve€to€the€left€and€hit€his€brakes.€Ð  p ÐI€donððt€„€I€canððt€think€of€anything€else€he€could€have€done.Ð \¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàIn€your€experience€as€a,€as€a€tow€truck€driver€was,€is€thereÐ øH Ðanything€in€your€mind€that€he€could€have€done?Ðä4¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàOther€than€be€somewhere€else,€no.ÐÐ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ¼  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Can€you€give€me€an€estimate€as€to€how€far€you€wereÐ ¨ø Ðbehind€this,€uh,€tow€truck€when€he€slammed€the€brakes€on,€IÐ ”ä Ðknow€you€said€two€or€three€car€lengths,€what€does€thatÐ €Ð Ðtranslate€into€feet?Ðl¼¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàAbout€50€feet€or€60.ÐX ¨¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àò òòòà8` Ð Ð àMr.€Ô_ÔKellarÔ_Ôó óóóÐ0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ $X" Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xà[Ô_ÔH]owÔ_Ô€long€have€you€been€a€resident€of€Davidson€County?Ðô$D #¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xà63€years.Ðà%0!$¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€that,€your€entire€life,€in€other€words?ÐÌ&"%¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàMy€entire€life,€yes€sir.и'#&¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay€and,€uh,€in€December€23òòrdóó€as€of€December€96€were€youÐ ¤(ô#' Ðemployed?Ð)à$(¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ð|*Ì%)¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàWhere€were€you€employed?Ðh+¸&*¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàElectric€Service,€Incorporated.а¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€did€you€have€occasion€to€be€on€Second€Avenue€South€onÐ œì ÐDecember€23òòrdóó,€1996?Јظ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.Ðtĸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€what€were€you€doing?Ð`°¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàI€was€returning€from€a€errand€that€Iððd€been€on€for€theÐ L œ Ðcompany.Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€did€you€witness€an€accident€involving€a€small€child€thatÐ $ t Ðday?Ð `¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàI€did.Ðü L ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€where€did€that€accident€occur?Ðè 8 ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàOn€Second€Avenue€just€about€Hart€Street.ÐÔ$ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€approximately€what€time€of€day€was€that?ÐÀ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWell€I€think€it€was€somewhere€along€about€midday.Ьü ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAlright.€€And€was€there€a€wrecker€truck€involved€in€thatÐ ˜è  Ðaccident?Ð„Ô ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€sir.ÐpÀ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd,€uh,€where€were€you€in€relation€to€the€wrecker€truckÐ \¬ Ðwhen€you€first€saw€it?ÐH˜¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàI€was€about€a€120€yards€I€imagine€when€I€first€saw€it,€or€a€100,Ð 4„ Ðaround€a€100€or€120€yards.Ð p¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€where€were€you€on€Second€Avenue€at€that€time?Ð \¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàI€was€just€above€the€little€drive€thatððs€up€on€a€hill.ÐøH¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ä4 Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€about€how€fast€were€you€going?ÐÐ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàI€was€doing€about€maybe€20€or€25€mile€an€hour€at€that€time.м ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ¨ø Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay€and€did€you€observe€the,€the€wrecker€truck€prior€to€theÐ ”ä Ðcollision,€prior€to€the€accident?Ѐи x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàJust,€just€prior.Ðl¼¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàDid€it€appear€to€you€to€be€going€at€about€the€same€speed€youÐ X ¨ Ðwere?ÐD!”¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàYes€it€wasnððt,€it€didnððt€seem€to€be€running€off€and€leavingÐ 0"€  Ðnobody€you€know€itððs,€it€seemed€like€about€the€same€speed€orÐ #l! Ða€little,€maybe€there€about.Ð$X"¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ ô$D # Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàMr.€ð!ð€tell€me€what€you€saw.Ðà%0!$¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWhen€I€seen€the€little€child€enter€the€road€I€stopped€just€deadÐ Ì&"% Ðstopped€and€I€was€some,€right€below€that€little€drive€about,€atÐ ¸'#& Ðthat€time,€just€below€it,€and€uh,€when€I€seen€him€enter€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðroad,€and€when€I,€at€that€time€he€was,€the€little€fella€entered€atÐ )à$( Ðan€angel€(sic)€toward€the€wrecker€and€it€was,€it€was€prettyÐ |*Ì%) Ðfast,€Iððm,€you€know,€itððs,€itððs,€itððs€pretty€quick€wheneverÐ h+¸&* Ðsomething€like€this€happens.€€Itððs€not€just€something€that,€thatÐ ° Ðhappens€and€it€looks€like€itððs€going€to€go€on€forever€itððs,€butÐ œì Ðit€just€came€together€and€the€man€tried€to€stop€but€and,€uh,€theÐ ˆØ Ðlittle€boy€ran€out€in€the€street€you€know€and€I€couldnððt€see€himÐ tÄ Ðanymore€when€he€got€in€front€of€the€wrecker.Ð`°¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàDid€you,€excuse€me,€did€you€see€the€little€boy€before€he€ranÐ L œ Ðout€into€the€street?Ð8 ˆ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàI€seen€him€when€he€left€the€sidewalk,€yes€sir.Ð$ t¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàAnd€he,€nobody€was€holding€him€at€that€time?Ð `¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàHe€didnððt€have€nobody€a€hold€of€him€when€he€left€theÐ ü L  Ðsidewalk€as€far€as€I€could€see.€€All€I€could€see€was€himÐ è 8  Ðrunning€out.ÐÔ$ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€Now€did€the€truck€try€to€swerve€or€did€it€continue€onÐ À  Ða€straight€path€when€the€child€ran€into€the€street?Ьü ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWell€when€I€saw€the€truck€go€to€stop€it€looked€like€it€just€sitÐ ˜è  Ðdown€and€turned€to€the€side.€€You€know€it,€it€had€to€travel€aÐ „Ô  Ðlittle€distance€but€it€just,€it€just€like€it€turned€this€a€way.ÐpÀ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ \¬ Ðà  àà ` àòòò òKeller€on€Crossó óóóÐ H˜ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàWhich€way€were€they€walking?€€South€or€north?Ð p¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàThey€were€going€south.Ð \¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ øH ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò òJudge€Questioning€Kelleró óóóÐ Ð  ÐÓ  ÓÌ*€€*€€*€€*€€*Ð ¨ø ÐÓvªÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOkay.€€When€you€first€saw€them,€tell€me€again€was€the€child?Ð”ä¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWhen€I€first€saw€them€the€child€had€just€about,€just€leavingÐ €Ð Ðthe€sidewalk.Ðl¼¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€describe€how€the€child€was€moving?ÐX ¨¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàHe€was€running€wide„open,€what€all€a€little€kid€could€do.ÐD!”¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàYou€mean,€when€you€say€wide„open€do€you€mean€fast?Ð0"€ ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàHe€was€running,€yes€sir.Ð#l!¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€and€is€there€anyway€you€can€estimate€how€long€it€tookÐ $X" Ðbetween€the€time€the€child€left€the€sidewalk€and€you€first€sawÐ ô$D # Ðthe€truck€put€on€brakes?Ðà%0!$¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàWell€when€I€saw€what€I€saw,€and€Iððm€going€to€try€to€be€asÐ Ì&"% Ðstraight€with€you€as€I€can,€the€truck€when€it€got,€it€was,€uh,€itÐ ¸'#& Ðwas€just€about€to€enter€the,€the€intersection€just€before€he€gotÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinto€the€intersection.€€The€boy€was€headed€toward€the€truckÐ )à$( Ðcrossways,€not€this€away€but€vertical€ð!ð€you€knowÐ|*Ì%)¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàOn€an€angle.Ðh+¸&*¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàOn€an€angle€toward€the€truck€and€by€the€time€that€I€saw€theÐ ° Ðbrakes€coming€on,€you€know€I€saw€the€truck€to€moving,€theÐ œì Ðchild€had€almost€got€in€front€of€him,€you€know,€soÐ ˆØ Ðundoubtedly€he€couldnððt€see€any€better€than€ð!ð€Iððm€not€sayingÐ tÄ Ðthe€man€couldnððt€see€but€a€little€bitty€Ô_ÔfellerÔ_Ô€like€that€Ô_ÔthatÔ_ÔððsÐ `° Ðrunning€at€an€angle€to€you€maybe€he€didnððt€see€him€as€ð!ðÐL œ¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà@**$ì` x` xà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ 8 ˆ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€à0¸ ` x` xàUh,€did€you€notice€which€way€the€child€was€looking?Ð$ t¸ x¸ x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€à0¸ ` x` xàNo€sir€he€just€looked€like€he€was€headed€straight€toward€the,Ð  ` Ðuh,€at€this€angle€like€he€was€wide„open€going€and€he€actedÐ ü L  Ðlike€he€knew€where€he€was€going€but€I€canððt€speculate€thatÐ è 8  Ðeither.ÐÔ$ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà  àThe€conclusions€of€the€trial€judge€indicate€that€he€held€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€should€have€seen€theÐ ¬ü  Ðchild€when€he€was€300€feet€distant.€€At€that€distance,€the€child€was€with€his€mother,€on€the€sidewalk,Ð ˜è  Ðand€we€know€of€no€rule€of€law,€nor€are€we€cited€to€any,€which€requires€a€motorist€to€assume€that€anÐ „Ô  Ðescorted€child€will€forcibly€break€away€from€the€adult€holding€him€and€dart€into€the€street.€€The€trialÐ pÀ Ðjudge€found€no€evidence€of€excessive€speed,€which€is€fully€supported€by€the€record.€€There€is€noÐ \¬ Ðevidence€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€failed€to€exercise€due€care,€because€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€clearlyÐ H˜ Ðreveals€that€the€child€broke€free€of€his€mother€and€ran€into€the€path€of€the€truck.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô€wasÐ 4„ Ðconfronted€with€a€sudden€emergency,€and€even€with€the€benefit€of€hindsight€we€can€envision€noÐ  p Ðeffective€evasive€action€different€than€the€action€taken€by€Mr.€Ô_ÔHeerÔ_Ô.€€Even€assuming€that€his€duty€ofÐ  \ Ðcare€and€caution€was€heightened,€owing€to€the€residential€nature€of€the€area€and€his€awareness€thatÐ øH Ðchildren€were€often€present,€the€record€reflects€no€evidence€of€negligence€on€his€part.€€The€trial€judgeÐ ä4 Ðalluded€to€the€intervening€act€of€the€child,€but€made€no€finding€about€it,€although€the€intervening€actÐ Ð  Ðof€a€child€may€be€ð ðthe€responsible€cause€of€his€injury€although€he€could€not€be€held€guilty€ofÐ ¼  Ðnegligence.ðð€€òòò òNashville,€C.€&€St.€L€Ry.€v.€Ô_ÔHarrellÔ_Ôóóó ó,€110€S.W.2d€1032€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1973);€òòò òStaffordÐ ¨ø Ðv.€Consolidated€Bus€Linesóóó ó,€164€S.W.2d€15€(Tenn.€1942).Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àOther€jurisdictions€have€addressed€whether€a€heightened€duty€of€care€is€diminished€when€aÐ l¼ Ðchild€is€accompanied€by€an€adult.€€The€Louisiana€Court€of€Appeals€addressed€the€duty€that€a€driverÐ X ¨ Ðowes€to€a€child€who€is€accompanied€by€an€adult€in€òòò òBrown€v.€United€States€Fire€Ins.óóó ó,€671€So.2d€1195Ð D!” Ð(La.€Ct.€App.€1996).€€In€that€case,€a€five„year„old€and€his€ten„year„old€brother,€who€lived€with€theirÐ 0"€  Ðmaternal€grandmother€and€their€aunt€in€Louisiana,€were€involved€in€an€accident.€€On€the€afternoonÐ #l! Ðof€the€accident,€the€boys€exited€their€school€bus€holding€hands.€€Their€aunt€was€on€the€sidewalk€next€Ð $X" Ðto€them€and€their€grandmother€was€across€the€street€at€the€front€door€of€her€house.€€After€the€boysÐ ô$D # Ðhad€crossed€in€front€of€the€bus€the€younger€brother€bit€his€older€brotherððs€hand€and€darted€toward€theÐ à%0!$ Ðstreet.€€The€child€was€struck€by€the€bus.€€The€trial€court€found€that€the€bus€driver€was€not€negligentÐ Ì&"% Ðbecause€he€could€not€be€expected€to€maintain€his€view€of€the€younger€boy€as€he€drove€forward€andÐ ¸'#& Ðbecause€the€bus€driver€could€only€reasonably€assume€that€the€child€would€remain€on€the€porch€withÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€grandmother€and€the€brother.€€The€Louisiana€court€cited€òòò òÔ_ÔScardinÔ_Ô€v.€State€Farm€Mut.€Auto€Ins.Ð )à$( ÐCo.óóó ó,€597€So.2d€1148,€1150€(La.€Ct.€App.€1992),€as€explaining€a€motoristððs€duty€of€care€when€drivingÐ |*Ì%) Ðnear€children:Ð h+¸&* Їà8  àAlthough€the€duty€of€a€driver€charged€with€the€knowledge€of€children€near€theÐ ° Ðroadway€is€heightened,€the€duty€is€not€limitless.€€Upon€seeing€children€near€theÐ œì Ðroadside,€a€motorist€is€expected€to€react€appropriately,€but€a€driver€does€notÐ ˆØ Ðnecessarily€have€the€duty€to€stop.€€Motorists€driving€near€children€are€charged€withÐ tÄ Ða€high€degree€of€care,€but€the€driver€is€not€an€insurer€of€every€childððs€safety.€€WhenÐ `° Ða€driver€has€employed€all€reasonable€precautions€to€avoid€an€accident,€and€a€suddenÐ L œ Ðact€of€a€child€creates€an€emergency€rendering€it€impossible€for€the€motorist€to€avoidÐ 8 ˆ Ðstriking€the€child,€the€accident€is€considered€unavoidable€and€the€motorist€is€notÐ $ t Ðliable.€€In€other€words,€if€a€motorist€is€preceding€at€a€lawful€and€reasonable€rate€ofÐ  ` Ðspeed,€maintaining€a€proper€lookout,€and€otherwise€obeying€the€rules€of€the€road,€heÐ ü L  Ðwill€not€be€held€liable€for€injuries€to€a€child€who€suddenly€darts€or€dashes€into€theÐ è 8  Ðpath€of€his€vehicle€from€a€concealed€position€in€such€a€way€that€an€accident€cannotÐ Ô$  Ðbe€avoided.€€Each€case€must€be€considered€in€light€of€its€particular€set€ofÐ À  Ðcircumstances.Ьü Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àHowever,€when€children€are€accompanied€by€their€parents€or€other€adults,€the€degreeÐ „Ô  Ðof€care€diminishes€because€it€is€only€reasonable€for€a€prudent€person€to€assume,€inÐ pÀ Ðthe€absence€of€any€indication€to€the€contrary,€that€the€parent€or€other€person€willÐ \¬ Ðguard€against€a€childish€impulse€and€give€immediate€warning€of€any€sudden€changeÐ H˜ Ðin€position€which€might€place€the€child€in€peril.òòò òó óóóÐ4„Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àIn€òòò òÔ_ÔTettertonÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔFoggieÔ_Ôóóó ó,€172€S.E.2d€369€(S.C.€1970),€children€were€playing€along€the€streetÐ  \ Ðwhen€a€ball€crossed€from€one€side€of€the€street€to€the€other.€€One€of€the€children€crossed€the€streetÐ øH Ðto€retrieve€the€ball.€€Upon€seeing€the€children€at€play,€the€driver€of€the€car€slowed€his€vehicle€andÐ ä4 Ðbegan€honking€his€horn.€€At€this€time,€the€mother€of€the€children€held€their€hands€and€walked€themÐ Ð  Ðback€to€the€house.€€Before€arriving€at€the€house,€one€of€her€children€jerked€loose€from€her€grip€andÐ ¼  Ðdarted€into€the€path€of€the€automobile.€€The€court€held€that€the€evidence€showed€that€the€driver€wasÐ ¨ø Ðobserving€the€rules€of€the€road€with€respect€to€speed,€control,€and€maintaining€a€proper€lookout€whileÐ ”ä Ðdriving€in€his€proper€traffic€lane.€€Further,€it€stated€that:Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àhe€saw€the€minor€.€.€.€was€in€a€place€of€safety€and€at€the€time€was€being€held€by€anÐ X ¨ Ðadult€and€it€was€only€when€he€preceded€to€pass€the€area€where€the€children€were€thatÐ D!” Ðthe€minor€jerked€loose€from€the€adult€.€.€.€and€darted€into€the€path€of€the€automobileÐ 0"€  Ð.€.€.€.€€It€is€our€conclusion€that€the€[Driver]€exercised€due€care€in€the€operation€of€hisÐ #l! Ðautomobile€with€respect€to€the€minor€who€was€under€adult€supervision€at€the€time€ofÐ $X" Ðthe€accident.Ðô$D #Ð Ð  ÐÌThe€South€Carolina€Supreme€Court€then€held€that:Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà8  àWhen€a€child,€who€is€under€adult€restraint,€breaks€away€from€such€adult€and€dartsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinto€the€path€of€a€motorist€who€is€observing€the€rules€of€the€road€with€respect€toÐ )à$( Ðspeed,€control,€and€who€is€maintaining€a€proper€lookout,€the€resulting€injury€to€saidÐ |*Ì%) Ðminor€is€not€actionable.Ðh+¸&*Ð Ð  ЇòòSee€also€ò òÔ_ÔKorbelikÔ_Ô€v.€Johnsonóóó ó,€227€N.W.2d€21,€25€(Neb.€1975)€(noting€the€distinction€between€theÐ ° Ðduty€of€care€owed€to€a€child€when€unaccompanied€by€an€adult€and€a€child€who€is€accompanied€byÐ œì Ðan€adult);€òòò òÔ_ÔSneedÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔSatcherÔ_Ôóóó ó,€597€So.2d€1070,€1076€(La.€Ct.€App.€1992).Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€judgment€which€is€reversed€and€the€suitÐ `° Ðof€the€plaintiff€is€dismissed€at€her€costs.€€The€issue€of€comparative€fault€is€Ô_ÔpretermittedÔ_Ô.Ð L œ ÐÌÌÌÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPER€CURIUM