(COLDWATER) - Nerissa Judd of Coldwater, Michigan, was arraigned in Branch County District Court after driving the wrong way on I-69 and crashing head-on into a semi-truck Friday morning. The 36-year-old woman pleaded not guilty to charges of felony 3rd offense driving while intoxicated, felony reckless driving, and felony fleeing.
According to the report, Judd was seen driving erratically and then entering the interstate, traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. An officer with lights and sirens pursued her, but she failed to stop and collided with a semi about a minute later. The semi-truck driver was not injured, and Judd was taken to Insight Hospital Medical Center Coldwater for evaluation, despite having no immediate apparent injuries.
Court records state that during questioning, Judd admitted to having "a little bit" to drink and said she didn't stop for the police because she feared getting into trouble. At the hospital, a search warrant was used to draw blood, and she allegedly told police that she "was dumb" and should not have been driving because she had consumed too much alcohol.
Judd has previous convictions for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) and another pending OWI 3rd offense charge in Oakland County. In Michigan, OWI charges become felonies after a third offense. Her bond was set at $75,000, and she is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on October 23, 2025.