RI Supreme Court rules on designated driver case

May 11, 2012

Providence, Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Supreme Court, on May 10, ruled that designated drivers are not responsible for the actions of their drunken friends/passengers after the ride.

The case revolved around a fatal collision in 2005. Matthew Milner was dropped off at his vehicle by his friend, Joseph Clukey. Later on, Milner, driving alone, crashed into Eldrick Johnson. Both of them were killed. Johnson's family sued Clukey for not stopping his friend from driving.

The Supreme Court ruled a) that it is ultimately up to the Rhode Island General Assembly to decide the extent of responsibility designated drivers should have for their passengers and b) that Clukey was not responsible for Milner's actions after dropping him off.