A Tamaqua area farmer suffered a severe injury Monday when a car crashed into a tractor he was operating in front of his family homestead.

Scott Leiby, 61, of Brook Lane, Lewistown Valley, was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital Trauma Center in Allentown shortly after 11 a.m. with a serious arm injury.

Leiby, a 1973 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, was featured in a February 20, 2015, Times News Spotlight story called "Winter on the farm," which examined off-season chores required to keep a farm sustainable year-round.

Those at the scene said Leiby was going about his usual routine when a car came over the crest of the hill and hit Leiby's tractor, knocking it over and pinning Leiby beneath the equipment.

"He was driving the tractor and pulling the tether," said his brother, Bruce Leiby, explaining that a tether is a piece of equipment used to loosen and work the soil.

"The tractor has a roll bar and it landed on top of his arm."

The car, a Ford Escape sports utility vehicle, was demolished. The female driver, whose name has not yet been released, appeared to suffer a minor cut near her nose. At least one passenger in the vehicle, a young boy, appeared to be uninjured.

The crash took place just steps from the front of two of the family homes, Bruce Leiby's residence at 972 Catawissa Road and father Bertram Leiby's house at 980 Catawissa.

"I was working down in the back and I heard it and saw it," said a visibly shaken Bertram Leiby.

Bruce Leiby expressed dismay over the speed in which cars travel along the rural roads in Walker Township.

"They just fly around here," he said.

There appeared to be no skid marks on the roadway.

No other details were available as Pennsylvania State Police are still investigating. Trooper Brian Walters said charges are pending.

Catawissa Road was closed in both directions for about two hours.

Among responding units were New England Valley Fire Co., Tuscarora Fire Company, Schuylkill EMS, Tamaqua Rescue and Tamaqua Community Ambulance.