Hudson man pleads out in drunk driving case

Nov. 29--HILLSDALE -- A Hudson man charged with numerous crimes after crashing into another vehicle in late November and fleeing the scene of the wreck on foot appeared in Hillsdale County District Court Wednesday morning.

Jared William Cunningham, 42, was formally charged with operating while intoxicated -- third offense, driving while license suspended -- second offense, failing to report an accident, driving without insurance and unlawful plate.

Authorities were dispatched to the accident around 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 on Addison Road, east of Jerome Road, in Somerset Township.

Neighbors in the area reported the man, identified later as Cunningham, had taken off on foot eastbound.

The Somerset Township Police Department, Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police responded to investigate the incident and track down Cunningham, who was arrested a short while later.

The driver of the second vehicle, a Jerome woman, received lacerations to her hand. Three children in her vehicle were unharmed.

Cunningham pleaded guilty to charges of operating while intoxicated (charged as a first offense), driving while license suspended -- second offense, failing to report an accident, driving without insurance and unlawful plate Wednesday morning.

The Hillsdale County Prosecutor's Office agreed to dismiss the felony offense of operating while intoxicated -- third offense and recommended Cunningham for the Hillsdale County District Court's Substance Abuse Court in the plea agreement.

Cunningham admitted to Hillsdale County District Judge Sara S. Lisznyai Wednesday morning that he was intoxicated while driving on the night of Nov. 19 and did in fact flee the scene of an accident after striking another vehicle head on.

"I left the scene and went to the house," Cunningham said.

Cunningham reportedly lives on Rome Road near the scene of the crash.

Cunningham will return to the district court at 8:45 a.m. Jan. 2 for sentencing.

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