Alcohol, employer liability.

The survivors of two pedestrian who were killed by a drunk driver, appeal a lower court's ruling in a civil suit. The driver in the accident, a chauffeur, struck and killed the pedestrians, after having spent several hours drinking. At issue is whether the chauffeur's employer is liable for damages.

A trial court jury found that Malloy, the chauffeur, was negligent in the deaths of the pedestrians. However, questions remain concerining the employer's liability. The trial court judge cited three exceptions which are at issue in the appeal.

Plaintiffs lose. The Massachusetts Supreme Court threw out the exceptions cited by the lower court.