COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Perry County judge who made a name for himself warning young people of the dangers of drinking and driving has found himself under arrest, charged with driving drunk and leaving the scene of a crash. Columbus Police say Judge Dean Wilson was driving under the influence Sunday when he crashed into a COTA bus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Perry County judge who made a name for himself warning young people of the dangers of drinking and driving has found himself under arrest, charged with driving drunk and leaving the scene of a crash.

Columbus Police say Judge Dean Wilson was driving under the influence Sunday when he crashed into a COTA bus.

�It wasn't like he sideswiped it. It was like he hit directly into it,� Mark Williams, a passenger on the bus, told 10TV. He said they were westbound on West Spring St in the Arena District when the black Mercedes hit the bus.

�It was hard, like boom,� said Williams. �And he just backed up and ran off. And we couldn't believe it. We was just stunned for a minute. The bus driver said, �Did somebody just hit me?� and we're all like, �Yeah, and he just ran off.��

A Columbus Police helicopter aided in the search for the driver, who was found 12 miles away, on I-70 eastbound near Brice Road.

"He responded like a regular criminal would and ran. That's it. He ran," said Williams.

Columbus Police say Judge Wilson refused a breathalyzer and field sobriety tests. Thursday he also refused to answer questions from 10TV.

"I understand you've got a job to do. And I appreciate that, but I have no comment. Any questions can be directed to my attorney,� he said.

Read more about this story and a report 10TV aired on the judge�s program to deter teens from driving by clicking here.