Vince v. Wilson
Supreme Court of Vermont
561 A.2d 103 (1989)
Wilson (defendant) funded her grandnephew's purchase of a car from Ace Auto Sales and salesman Gardner (defendants), telling Gardner at the time that her grandnephew lacked a license, had failed his driving test repeatedly, and abused drugs and alcohol. Vince (plaintiff), a passenger in a car later driven by the grandnephew, was injured in an accident and sued Wilson, Ace, and Gardner for negligent entrustment; the trial court directed verdicts for Ace and Gardner, and the jury found against Wilson, with both sides appealing their respective losses.
Whether a party who either sells or funds the purchase of an automobile by a driver the party knows to be incompetent may be held liable for injuries resulting from the driver's incompetent operation of the vehicle.