Judge Charged with DUI After Crash in Michigan

A federal judge in Michigan is facing charges after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing his vehicle. According to court documents obtained by local news, Judge Thomas Ludington, 72, had a high blood alcohol level at the time of the incident, which occurred near his vacation home on October 3.

The crash involved Ludington’s Cadillac hitting two traffic signs in northern Michigan, resulting in significant damage to the car. At least one airbag deployed as part of the collision. Michigan State Police arrived on the scene and arrested him, although he was later released on a $500 bail.

He has been charged with two offenses: operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and driving with a blood alcohol concentration that exceeds the legal limit of 0.08. Under Michigan’s “extreme drinker” law, the latter applies when the level exceeds 0.17.

The first charge can lead to a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, 360 hours of community service, and a vehicle ban. The second charge could result in up to 180 days in jail, a $700 fine, 360 hours of community service, and a vehicle prohibition.

Ludington, who serves in the Northern District of the Eastern District of Michigan, is scheduled for a jury trial on February 27.

This incident follows another serious drunk driving case where an undocumented immigrant, Juan Alvarado Aguilar, was charged with a felony for his involvement in a collision that resulted in the deaths of a college athlete and his girlfriend in North Carolina.

The tragic crash occurred when Aguilar crossed the center line and collided head-on with another vehicle late Friday night. He refused medical assistance at the scene but was later taken for a blood draw prior to facing charges. The victims were identified as 20-year-old Fletcher Harris, a student-athlete, and 19-year-old Skylar Provenza.

Both were pronounced dead at the location of the accident, highlighting the severe consequences of impaired driving.