LAWRENCE COUNTY - FEBRUARY 2, 2023 - The Robbie Roberts and Josh Roberts family are still waiting on a Restitution Hearing following the sentencing of William Cinnamon who caused both men to suffer serious injury while operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Cinnamon was sentenced to ten years on September 6, 2022. The Roberts testified on the numerous medical expenses and hardship the accident placed on the family.
The restitution hearing was set for November 1, 2022, has been continued at least three times; has now been moved to April 13, 2023
Cinnamon is now being represented by Lawrence County Chief Public Defender Tim Sledd.
Original story on the Zephyr - 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. With the plea agreement the jury trial that was scheduled on July 12, 2022 has been cancelled.
Lawrence County Superior Court II by Judge William Sleva sentenced Cinnamon to ten years to the Department of Corrections on September 6, 2022.
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.
Robbie Roberts meets the emergency and community members who welcomed him home after being in the hospital for more than 100 days. Roberts may not fully recover from his injuries suffered in the traffic accident
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.
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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