Commonwealth v. Root
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
170 A.2d 310 (1961)
Relevant factsFree
Root (defendant) and another man agreed to drag race on a rural highway at speeds exceeding 70 mph; as the race approached a bridge in a no-passing zone, the other driver attempted to pass Root by swerving into the opposite lane and was killed by an oncoming truck. Root was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, and he appealed.
IssueFree
Whether involuntary manslaughter requires unlawful or reckless conduct which is the direct cause of a resulting death.