LAWRENCE COUNTY - JUNE 23, 2022 - Correction to story: The Judge assigned in the case is Judge William Sleva in the original story it states Judge Bob Cline: Lawrence County Zephyr strives for accuracy .
Lawrence County Deputy Prosecutor Jeremy Weddle and Deputy Public Defender Bruce Andis have entered into a plea agreement with William Cinnamon, Bloomington who will plead guilty to two counts of Causing Serious Injury Accident when operating a vehicle while intoxicated Level 5 Felony.
A hearing will be held in Lawrence County Superior Court II by Judge William Sleva who can either accept or reject the plea agreement. The hearing will be heard on Thursday July 12, at 9:00 a.m. If the plea agreement is approved the case, then will move on to a sentencing hearing which will be scheduled 30 days following Thursday's outcome.
If the plea agreement is rejected by the Judge then he can withdraw his guilty plea.
The plea agreement obtained by the Lawrence County Zephyr includes the following preliminary sentencing:
Fined $300 plus court costs of $18.50
Recovery While Incarcerated and upon successful completion of the appropriate substance abuse program will consider modification of the sentence
While completing the Recovery While Incarcerated requirements the defendant may seek modification and apply to the Lawrence County Problem Solving Court
Serve a sentence of 10 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with 8 years executed and 2 years suspended for a total of six years to be served at the IDOC.
Probation is to begin after the executed portion of the sentence.
730 days Supervised probation with payment of probation fees and monthly fee of $30.
Complete 160 Hours of Community Service
If unemployed must complete the Introduction of Local Jobs and Skills Course
The case stems back in July 2020 a two vehicle accident sent three people to the hospital after William Cinnamon of Bloomington was driving a 1999 Cheverolet pick-up southbound on State Road 37 when he says he became distracted.
Cinnamon told police he attempted to stop at the red light, but his brakes failed and his vehicle struck a 2003 Buick driven by 27 year old Joshua Roberts, Bedford. Roberts had the green arrow to turn north onto State Road 37 from the Patton Hill Road.
Both Joshua Roberts and Robbie Roberts were trapped in the vehicle following the accident and were extricated by members of the Bedford Fire Department and transported by ground ambulance to IU Health Hospital Bloomington. Air ambulances could not fly at the time of the accident due to weather.
Robbie Roberts suffered an internal decapitation to which very few people survive. Roberts was transported to IU Methodist Hospital where he was hospitalized for more than 100 days.
Joshua Roberts suffered serious head injuries from the accident.
Cinnamon and his passenger Shawn Robertson of Bloomington were both injured in the crash. Robertson was transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital by ambulance. Cinnamon refused transport to a hospital.
Robbie Roberts continues to recover from injuries from a DWI traffic accident in 2020
Cinnamon was given a field sobriety test at the scene and was cited at the scene for unsafe speed, failure to yield, and disregarding a traffic signal and driving with suspended with a prior conviction. His driving while suspended did not appear on court records. Cinnamon also has a lengthy criminal record in Lawrence and Monroe Counties.
In November 2020, the responders who worked the accident that day, as well many friends and community members welcomed Robbie Roberts back home. The road to recovery is still ongoing and in many ways Roberts may not fully recover completely from the accident.
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