Civil suit filed over tractor accident

A Madison County couple filed a civil complaint Feb. 4 against a Marion County farmer stemming from a tractor accident on the day of last year’s Warrior Dash. The farmer filed his response Feb. 26.
Doug and Angela Beall of 1004 Palmetto Drive in Richmond have accused Steven R. Baudendistel of 1190 Pope’s Creek Road of “negligently and recklessly” operating a tractor and causing them to be thrown from the wagon. According to the complaint, the Bealls were passengers on a wagon that was being pulled by a tractor driven by Steven R. Baudendistel on June 23, 2012.
The Bealls suffered severe injuries, incurred medical bills and expenses, and endured pain and suffering as a result of the accident, according to their complaint.
Attorney Bradley D. Harville of Louisville filed the answer on  Baudendistel’s behalf. In the answer, he argues that the Bealls may have been at fault in causing their injuries or their injuries may have been the result of the negligence of other people not under Baudendistel’s control. The answer also reads that the Bealls’ injuries may have resulted from causes other than the accident, and they may be prohibited from seeking compensation for their injuries and medical expenses if they have already received any payment from or on behalf of Baudendistel.
The Bealls are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, a trial by jury, attorney fees and any other relief to which they may be entitled. They are represented by attorney Will E. Messer of Lexington.
Baudendistel is seeking to have the complaint dismissed, a trial by jury, and attorney fees or other expenses.
On the day of the incident, Baudendistel was arrested and charged with 17 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. On Jan. 24, he pled guilty to one count of second-degree wanton endangerment.
According to the arrest report, Baudendistel told the arresting officer that he was trying to be nice and give subjects a ride from the Warrior Dash to their vehicles but lost control of the tractor.
Deceased Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Rakes responded to the accident. He noted that Baudendistel had a strong odor of alcohol, had blood shot eyes, was unsteady on his feet and failed all field sobriety tests. Baudendistel also told Rakes that he had been driving and lost control of the tractor, according to the arrest report.