Order Michigan Supreme Court
Lansing, Michigan
January 11, 2008 Clifford W. Taylor,
Chief Justice
130460 Michael F. Cavanagh
Elizabeth A. Weaver
Marilyn Kelly
RICHARD JAMES, Maura D. Corrigan
Plaintiff, Robert P. Young, Jr.
and Stephen J. Markman,
Justices
SAFECO INSURANCE CO.,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v SC: 130460
COA: 262805
St. Clair CC: 03-002466-NZ
STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY CO.,
Defendant/Cross-Defendant-
Appellant,
and
DAVID GASOWSKI,
Defendant/Cross-Plaintiff-
Appellee,
and
MARIO SYLVESTRI and AUTO CLUB
GROUP INSURANCE CO.,
Defendants.
_________________________________________/
On December 5, 2007, the Court heard oral argument on the application for leave
to appeal the November 8, 2005 judgment of the Court of Appeals. On order of the
Court, the application is again considered. MCR 7.302(G)(1). In lieu of granting leave
to appeal, we REVERSE the judgment of the Court of Appeals and the judgment of the
St. Clair Circuit Court granting defendant-appellee Gasowski and plaintiff-appellee
Safeco Insurance Company summary disposition, and we REMAND this case to the St.
Clair Circuit Court for further proceedings not inconsistent with this order. The “Release
and Settlement Agreement” resolving the underlying action specifically contemplated
litigating the identity of the driver of the jet-ski in this case. Therefore, the circuit court
erred in granting summary disposition to Gasowski and Safeco against defendant-
appellant State Farm Fire & Casualty Company on collateral estoppel grounds.
I, Corbin R. Davis, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court, certify that the
foregoing is a true and complete copy of the order entered at the direction of the Court.
January 11, 2008 _________________________________________
s0108 Clerk