Man Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Causing Crash While High On Cocaine, Marijuana

An Akron man was sentenced Tuesday morning to 18 months in prison for causing a crash that left the victim with a lacerated spleen and fractured ribs.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Jose Villanueva also ordered 39-year-old Willie Rudd to pay restitution to the victim.

On May 31, Rudd struck hit the victim's car from behind as he was driving west on Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights.

This caused the victim -- a 41-year-old man from Cleveland -- to lose control of his car and crash into a utility pole.

Rudd also lost control of his car, crashing into a street sign and then into a metal fence.

Rudd attempted to flee the scene but police subsequently caught and
arrested Rudd.

Meanwhile, the victim was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and treated for his injuries.

Toxicology reports found that Rudd had marijuana and cocaine in his system at the time of the crash, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office.

Rudd subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular assault, three counts of driving while under the influence of drugs and one count of failing to stop after a crash.