I have yet to see an automatic carwash that did not have a sign directing the car diver to place the vehicle in neutral.
Was there such a sign? Was it open, obvious, and unobscured from the drivers view?
Because of the design of the drive chain, the driver must have attempted to actually drive the car forward and not accidentally roll into the car in front of them.
BTW: I have actually seen this at a car wash an aquaintence owns. To me it was hilarious. The guy that got hit was not so amused. The driver really had to try to get over the drive mechanism. (obviously not intentionally hitting the guy but definately a situation where common sense should have over ridden the idea of driving the car forward.)
As far as the ticket goes, No real idea but since it is on private property and not observed by the officer, I doubt it.
Does your friend have insurance on their car?
bluesman: did the courts actually make this call or did it end up being dropped and the car wash accepting responsibility?
Unless you could prove some defect in the operation of the device, I can see no reason the car wash would bear any responisbility barring the failure to direct you.

