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Ruth Matheson sued Scott Stilkenboom for damages sustained in an automobile collision allegedly caused by Stilkenboom’s negligence. The jury returned a defense verdict, and Matheson appeals, claiming that the trial court erroneously refused to recharge the jury on the definition of negligence, allowed improper cross-examination, and committed two charging errors. For reasons that follow, we reverse the judgment entered on the jury’s verdict and remand for a new trial.

The evidence presented at trial showed that on January 26, 1998, Stilkenboom’s car collided with Matheson’s car on a rural, gravel road. According to Matheson, she was driving in her lane of travel when she saw Stilkenboom “coming down the road toward her out of control.” Matheson testified that Stilkenboom was driving “pretty fast” and his car was “fishtailing” from side to side. She held tight to her steering wheel and braked, but had no time to take other evasive action. Stilkenboom hit the left front of her car, knocking it backwards. The officer that investigated the collision found Matheson’s car in its proper lane of travel when he arrived at the scene.

 
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