Driver arrested after New Year’s crash appears in court via Zoom

A Bloomfield driver who started the new year by running off the road, knocking down power lines and striking a house, was arrested then bonded out of jail. Yesterday, when he was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, he appeared in court via Zoom.

James D. Roudebush

James D. Roudebush, 52, Bloomfield, was arrested by Deputy Davis Aerne of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department early New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1.

At 2:16 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a caller told a Greene County dispatcher that a car had crashed into a house. Shortly after, a woman called and said a car had driven into her house and her power was out. She said the male driver was not injured in the crash.

Deputy Aerne responded to the residence on West State Road 54, Bloomfield, and when he arrived, the driver, identified as James Roudebush, was standing next to a gray 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze had hit a utility pole then hit the front of the residence. Power lines were on the ground near the vehicle and were down across the roadway.

Roudebush allegedly told Deputy Aerne that he had been working seven days a week for three months and he was tired. He said he went to have dinner with a family member in Linton and was coming home when he must have fallen asleep.

Roudebush was checked by ambulance personnel and was not reported to be injured. But Deputy Aerne said Roudebush was unsteady and swaying, was emitting an odor of alcohol and exhibited other signs of intoxication.

Roudebush failed field sobriety tests on the scene, was transported then again failed field sobriety tests at the Linton Police Department. Roudebush agreed to take a certified chemical test – results showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of .18. The legal limit is .08.

Roudebush was booked into the Greene County Jail at 4:38 a.m. His bond was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $400 and was released later the same day.

Roudebush was scheduled to appear for an initial hearing in Greene Superior Court yesterday morning, Thursday, January 14. Court records indicate he did appear before Judge Dena Martin, via Zoom.

During the hearing, he was formally charged with:

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and

• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a Class A misdemeanor.