Local Judge Waives Hearing On Hit-And-Run Charges
CLYMER (KDKA/AP) - A district judge who's been suspended without pay on charges she left the scene of an accident and obstructed justice after sideswiping an oncoming vehicle has waived her preliminary hearing.
The Indiana Gazette reports 41-year-old Blairsville District Judge Jennifer Rega waived the hearing Wednesday. She must now stand trial or otherwise work out a plea agreement on charges stemming from the Sept. 13 crash in Cherryhill Township.
According to a state police compliant, Rega's SUV crossed the center line just after midnight that morning and knocked the mirror off an oncoming car owned by Tina Johns of Clymer.
The people in the car followed Rega and told police she seemed intoxicated and smelled of alcohol when they tried to speak with her, but that she drove away before police arrived.
"I have enough drama in my life," said Johns. "I don't need anymore. I just want my mirror fixed, whatever happens to her happens."
Rega's attorney has acknowledged the crash, but denied she obstructed justice.
The state attorney generals filed several traffic misdemeanors and summary offenses, but also included obstruction of law or government function.
"This is a traffic accident that's mushroomed into a criminal complaint," said defense attorney Robert Muir.
Rega, who is also an attorney, is in her third term as judge.
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