Ledger

—United Services Automobile Association (USAA) brought this action for declaratory relief against Jennifer Ledger, Richard Arters and Richard Arters III, beneficiaries of decedent Richard Arters II (Arters). The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of USAA, holding that an automobile insurance policy issued by USAA to Ronald W. Tippitt (Tippitt) did not cover a fatal injury inflicted upon Arters by Tippitt. We affirm.

Facts

On March 15, 1983, Tippitt and Arters were involved in an altercation that resulted in the tragic death of Arters. Earlier in the day Tippitt agreed to give Loren Knight (Knight) a ride from Ventura to Ojai. They left Ventura at approximately 3 p.m. Tippitt was unfamiliar with the area so Knight gave him directions. He told Tippitt to drive north on Highway 101 and east on Highway 33; however, Knight failed to inform Tippitt that Highway 33 narrows from two lanes to one lane. Arters was also driving his vehicle toward Ojai on Highway 33. At a point just before the end of the two lanes, Tippitt was forced to quickly merge into the right lane causing Arters to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Tippitt continued along Highway 33…