A jury trial, accusing Landus Cooperative and Shaw Trucking Company of negligence following the death of a Greene County resident, has been delayed.   

According to court documents a jury trial was supposed to take place last week in Story County Civil Court, but that has since been delayed to next year. Following the death of Patrick Fields from a fatal crash that took place in June 2017, the family sued Landus Cooperative and Shaw Trucking Company for negligence when they hired Troy Shaw. Troy was driving a semi-tractor trailer hauling grain for Landus Cooperative the day he struck Fields’ tractor, which overturned, killing him.

The lawsuit claims that Landus Cooperative was negligent in hiring Troy and in failing to ensure that he exhibited the “necessary skills, ability, and experience to safely operate the Shaw truck and haul corn to its clients in a safe and lawful manner.” The lawsuit also alleges Landus Cooperative knew, or should have known, about Troy’s prior use of illegal intoxicants. Similar allegations were also listed for Shaw Trucking Company, with whom Troy Shaw was employed.

Troy was found guilty in Greene County District Court of a serious misdemeanor for possession of heroin, a simple misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia, and two traffic violations that were determined to be misdemeanors for failure to maintain control and failure to stop in assured clear distance. Troy was sentenced to 90 days in jail for the three simple misdemeanors and two years of probation for the serious misdemeanor.

A hearing has been set for July 7, 2020.