L. Brooks Patterson Ticketed for Not Wearing His Seatbelt in August Crash

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson was cited Tuesday for not wearing a seatbelt in the Aug. 10 crash that hospitalized him for five weeks.

The Auburn Hills Police Department issued the ticket, which is a civil infraction with a maximum fine of $65 and zero points on a driving record. Patterson paid the fine on Tuesday.

“Not wearing a seatbelt was a mistake,” Patterson said in a statement. “I accept my responsibility and paid the $65 fine this afternoon.”

Patterson was discharged from McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac on Friday and is continuing his rehabilitation at an undisclosed location.

He had been hospitalized since Aug. 10 when the car he was riding in crashed into another car at an Auburn Hills intersection. According to police reports, the second car failed to yield at a flashing yellow turn signal, causing the crash.

Patterson broke a hip, leg, ankle, five ribs and both wrists. 

Patterson's car was driven by his longtime driver, James Cram. Neither Cram nor Patterson were wearing seatbelts when the cars crashed; Patterson's seatbelt was found buckled behind the passenger seat. 

According to the Auburn Hills Police Department, Cram has not yet been issued a citation related to seatbelt use. "Mr. Cram suffered significant injuries from the crash and is not in a position to handle a traffic citation at this time," a news release stated.

Anthony Prainito, the driver of the Volkswagen Passat that Patterson's Chrysler 300 crashed into at the intersection of Walton and Opdyke, was charged with a misdemeanor in the crash. He pleaded not guilty. 

More on the Patterson crash:

• L. Brooks Patterson Released From Hospital
• L. Brooks Patterson, from Hospital Bed: 'I'm On the Mend'
• Patterson's Seatbelt Was Buckled Behind the Passenger Seat
• Patterson Crash: Here's How Those 'Flashing Yellows' Are Supposed to Work