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Monroe County Judge Injured In Crash, Other Driver Arrested

Last updated on Friday, March 28, 2014

(BLOOMINGTON) - 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, 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. A passer-by stopped and pulled the passenger from the vehicle.

Cash told police he left the scene to seek medical attention for his injuries and he did not know there was a second vehicle involved in the crash.

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 happened.

According to police, 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.

According to Bloomington Police Lt. Steve Kellams, police at the crash scene were notified that Cash was at the Monroe County Hospital being treated for rib and swelling to his face.

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

Police located Cash at the hospital and he voluntarily submitted to a blood test.

According to police Cash claims his passenger suddenly grabbed the steering wheel, causing the accident.

Cash's passenger was too drunk at the crash site to tell police what happened.

Cash was arrested on a felony charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury. His initial hearing is scheduled for today.

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