The default stands.

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the Second Department refused to vacate a default judgment, in Anderson v. GHI Auto Services, decided on November 7, 2007, noting that defendant failed to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense, pursuant to CPLR 5015 [a][1].

The court also rejected defendant's argument of improper service, noting that the mere denial of having received the summons and complaint cannot rebut the presumption of proper service created by the affidavit of service, pursuant to 5015(a)(4).

In any event, said the court, defendant cannot be relieved from its default because of CPLR 317, which says that a defaulting person who had been served other than by personal delivery, may be allowed to defend the action within one year after learning of entry of the judgment, but no more than five years after the entry. Here, the judgment was entered in 1997 and defendant did not move for relief until 2006.