Farm Vehicle Accidents

Long before the Industrial Revolution, city people have been nostalgic for an idyllic rural life that may never have existed. This nostalgia sometimes coexists with a Schadenfreude about the conveniences that people in the country lack. When you pass through Amish Country and see the horse-drawn carriages, it probably makes you appreciate how easy it is to get in your car and drive to Wawa every time you are in the mood for a cheesesteak sandwich. If you grew up in the big city and visited your relatives in the country in the summers and on holidays, then you may have enjoyed the evenings of having so much fun doing so little, when people shared stories about the old days. You may have heard some stories about a friend or relative who suffered permanent injuries arising from an accident involving farm animals or farm machinery. There may not be heavy traffic on country roads, but a lumbering tractor can do as much damage as speeding sportscars can. If you have suffered severe injuries in a traffic accident involving a farm vehicle, contact an auto accident lawyer.

Bicyclist’s Family Sues After Fatal Collision With Tractor

In April 2025, James Goode was riding his e-bike on Willow Grove Road in Pittsville. It is unclear whether he was riding in the lane of traffic or on the shoulder. Meanwhile, Steven Petronglo was driving a pickup truck on the same road, and his pickup truck was towing a trailer, and on the trailer was a tractor with a seeder attachment that was 15 feet wide. Petronglo was unable to avoid a collision, and the side of the seeder struck Goode and knocked him off of his bicycle. Goode died of his injuries at the scene of the accident. He was 61 years old.

Petronglo left the scene of the accident and allegedly removed the trailer from his pickup truck and returned to the scene. He was later charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular homicide, among other charges. In December 2025, Petronglo rejected a plea deal, and his case will go to trial.

Meanwhile, in October 2025, Goode’s surviving family members filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Petronglo in civil court. In most cases, the civil trial cannot begin until the criminal case has been resolved. A guilty plea or conviction at trial in the criminal case resulted in an automatic verdict in favor of the plaintiff in the civil case. If the defendant is acquitted or pleads no contest in the criminal case, then the court might rule in favor either of the plaintiff or of the defendant in the civil case. Another possible outcome is that the civil case will result in a settlement before the criminal case goes to trial.

Contact Monaco Law About Car Accidents

Contact Monaco Law PC in Marlton, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss your car accident case. Joseph Monaco is a New Jersey and Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer serving Atlantic County, Bucks County,  Burlington County, Cape May County, Camden County, Chester County, Cumberland County, Delaware County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, Ocean County, Salem County, Susquehanna County and all of New Jersey.

Sources:

nj.com/salem/2025/12/man-on-e-bike-was-killed-by-farm-equipment-on-a-nj-road-now-the-drivers-been-indicted.html

nj.com/salem/2025/12/nj-driver-accused-of-killing-cyclist-with-farm-equipment-while-intoxicated-rejects-plea-deal.html