Interpretation: “Personal use”

A car accident in Colorado has given rise to an interesting little contract interpretation question.  Lakewood City Manager Mike Rock’s contract provides that he is to get a city-owned car.  The contract allows Rock to charge all gas for the vehicle to the city. And it specifically provides “Rock can drive the vehicle for business and/or personal use.”

The question, though, is whether Rock’s wife, Vickie Layton, may also drive the vehicle.  The question arose after Layton triggered a four-car accident by plowing the Chevy Silverado pickup into the rear of another car.