Small-Town Garage Liable For Crash Involving Vehicle Stolen From Its Premises

The Village of Paisley, population 1,100, is situated in the heart of Bruce County. Until recently, its claim to fame was its annual Beef Fest held every August. Recently, the Ontario Court of Appeal cast a spotlight on this quiet village in a decision involving one of its local garages.

On October 3, 2016 the Court of Appeal released its decision in the case of J. J. v. C.C. One of the Defendants in that case was Rankin's Garage and Sales, known by the locals as "Rankin's Garage". The Court found Rankin's Garage partially responsible for serious injuries suffered by a teen who helped steal a vehicle from its lot before it crashed.

Background

On July 8, 2006 J.J., then 15 years of age, met up with his friends, C.C. (age 16) and T.T. (age 16) at the dam in Paisley, Ontario. C.C. and T.T. shared eight beers T.T. had brought with him. C.C. testified that J.J. did not have any of the beer. The three boys walked to C.C.'s house around 8:30 p.m. where C.C. and T.T.