EAST ST. LOUIS - A motorist claims he was permanently injured when a helicopter pilot dispersed pesticides near the plaintiff's vehicle while crop dusting.
James Harre filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Travis Wayland, Helicrops, also known as Tri-Ag Distributors, Inc., also known as Tri-County AG, LLC, a/k/a 618 Helicopters, LLC., also known as Speas Aviation, also known as Tri-State Helicopter, United Prairie, LLC, also known as Miller AG Service, and Rodney Hunt, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, defendant Wayland was employed as a helicopter pilot working for the companies named as co-defendants in the lawsuit. Defendant Hunt reportedly owned an operated a farm in the Village of Ramsey, which was adjacent or open to County Road 2800, a public roadway that was available for public use.
Harre states that on July 28, 2022, he was driving on County Road 2800 with his windows down near the farmland owned by Hunt. At the same time, Wayland was allegedly operating a helicopter to disperse pesticides over Hunt's farmland. In the course of doing so, the defendants allegedly caused Harre and his vehicle to become exposed to the chemicals.
According to the lawsuit, Harre needed immediate and urgent medical treatment following the chemical exposure, but the effects of the chemicals continue to affect him.
Harre also claims Wayland did not posses the proper license and certification to operate a helicopter to disperse pesticides.
Harre alleges he sustained permanent injuries, which have caused him to experience pain, suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, damage to his vehicle and lost wages. He also claims his injuries will impact his ability to earn income and enjoy normal life. He adds that he has incurred medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover.
The plaintiff is seeking damages and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by the attorneys of Newland & Newland, LLP in Arlington Heights.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:23-CV-02555-MAB