On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Bloomberg Law reported that Michigan federal Judge Thomas L. Ludington struggled to recite the alphabet during a field sobriety test following a drunken-driving crash in 2025. According to a state police report, Ludington recited “A, B, C, D, F, U” when asked to recite the alphabet.

The incident occurred in Emmet County, where Ludington has a cottage. Following the crash, a post-crash test revealed a blood-alcohol content of 0.27, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.08. Ludington was subsequently arrested.

Ludington, 72, a President George W. Bush appointee, faces misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.17 or more and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He has pleaded not guilty, and his jury trial is scheduled for May 8 in the 90th District Court in Emmet County, located in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. A status conference is set for April 6.

According to the police report, Ludington was described as argumentative and unable to follow instructions during field sobriety tests. The incident began shortly after 9 p.m. on October 3, when a caller reported a black 2019 Cadillac CT6 with hazard lights on, having veered off the road and struck signs. A trooper located the car, with significant passenger side damage and full side curtain airbag deployment, at the entrance of a farm market approximately 10 minutes later.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the trooper noted that Ludington appeared unsteady and smelled of alcohol. Ludington told the trooper he had “nothing tonight” to drink and hadn’t taken any medication. He also stated he didn’t have any head injuries and identified himself as a federal judge.

When asked how much he had to drink, Ludington shrugged and said “seriously, I don’t think I had anything.” He also mentioned he was coming from “federal court in Bay City, Michigan” and was headed to his cottage, claiming he had no memory of damaging his car.

The trooper’s attempt to administer a breath test was unsuccessful, as Ludington either couldn’t properly blow or understand the instructions. After five attempts, the trooper warned Ludington that his actions would be considered a refusal if he didn’t perform the test correctly, leading the judge to become “argumentative,” and the test was ended. Ludington was then handcuffed, taken to a hospital for a blood draw, medically cleared, and subsequently taken to jail before being released on a $500 bond.

 

 

Source: Bloomberg Law