Michigan Federal Judge Faces 'Super Drunk' Trial After Cadillac Crash

U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan’s Northern Division is facing a February 27 jury trial in state court after Michigan State Police say he crashed his Cadillac into two traffic signs near his Petoskey vacation home on Oct. 3, 2025 while "super drunk." Court documents obtained by The Detroit News and described by Fox News say the 72‑year‑old jurist wrecked the vehicle, triggered at least one airbag and was arrested at the scene, then released on $500 bond. He is charged under Michigan law with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (blood alcohol content at or above 0.08) and operating with a high blood‑alcohol content (0.17 or greater) under the state’s enhanced "super drunk" statute. If convicted, he faces up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine on the first count and up to 180 days and a $700 fine on the second, along with community service and vehicle immobilization. The case adds to recent public concern over repeat and high‑BAC impaired driving incidents, including a separate North Carolina crash highlighted in the article that killed a college soccer player and his girlfriend and led to felony charges against an undocumented driver.