Drunken driver hits, injures judge

A Monroe County judge suffered injuries in a head-on collision after a Bloomington man ran a stop sign while driving drunk Tuesday.

When police arrived on the scene, the drunken driver, 26-year-old James A. Cash, had left, abandoning his passenger in a white Ford F-250, according to court documents. The pickup truck was on fire with smoke billowing out from the engine.

Cash told police he did not know there was a second vehicle involved in the accident and he was looking for a phone so he could seek medical attention for his injuries.

Valeri Haughton, Monroe County Eighth Circuit Court judge, was riding in the passenger seat of a blue Toyota on West Bloomfield Road approaching South Weimer Road southwest of campus when the accident occurred, according to court records. Haughton was reaching toward the floor of the Toyota just before the collision and said she did not see the oncoming vehicle.

Witnesses told police that Cash became angry when he found out the police were called, because he was still on probation.

Police were notified while still at the scene of the accident by the Monroe County Hospital that Cash was seeking treatment, Bloomington Police Department Lt. Steve Kellams said.

The driver and Haughton were transported to IU-Bloomington Hospital. The driver said he felt neck and hand pain. Haughton suffered a fractured right lower leg as well as pain in her lower back and hand.

Cash’s passenger suffered cuts and scrapes to his face but declined medical treatment. Cash complained of pain in his ribs and swelling in his face.

Police found Cash at the hospital where he voluntarily submitted to a blood test. Cash said his passenger suddenly grabbed the steering wheel, causing the car accident, according to court documents.

Cash’s passenger was  drunk at the crash site and unable to provide police with information.

Cash faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, a class B felony, with bond set at $40,000 surety and $500 cash. Cash is not able to place bond because of his probation. His initial hearing was scheduled for Friday.

Dennis Barbosa