Opinion
April 4, 1968
Appeal from the Monroe Trial Term.
Present — Bastow, J.P., Goldman, Del Vecchio, Marsh and Henry, JJ.
Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and facts and new trial granted, with costs to abide the event. Memorandum: On a dark and rainy night plaintiff was struck by defendant's eastbound automobile while he was walking west on his left side of the highway pavement. He testified that he does not remember events after he started under a railroad bridge which was more than 60 feet east of where he was hit. "The burden of proof on the issue of contributory negligence is not shifted by plaintiff's loss of memory." ( Davis v. Rogers Fuel Corp., 284 App. Div. 1024, 1025; Karonis v. Palmietto, 281 App. Div. 687, affd. 305 N.Y. 898.) The finding implicit in the verdict that plaintiff complied with the provisions of section 1156 Veh. Traf. of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by moving as far to the left as was practicable upon the approach of defendant's vehicle is against the weight of the evidence.