An Escalade registered to TV Judge Gregory Mathis is involved in a near fatal crash at the Ren Cen

DETROIT (WXYZ) - He’s known as a tough judge in his TV courtroom. Judge Gregory Mathis doesn’t tolerate bad behavior, whether it’s a criminal or an accused deadbeat dad.

But Mathis may be facing some legal drama of his own. Action News has obtained a police report that shows a relative of Judge Mathis – possibly his nephew – was involved a near fatal crash inside a Renaissance Center parking garage and may have been under the influence of drugs.

The relative was driving a Cadillac Escalade, which the police report says is registered to Mathis and his wife.

The report also says the relative of Mathis was driving erratically through the parking structure when security tried to stop him. Moments later there was a loud crash – the Escalade slammed into a security gate. One of the passengers inside the luxury SUV was critically injured.

As security approached the Escalade officers claim Mathis’ relative was belligerent. When police arrived on scene they found pot inside the Escalade and believe the relative was under the influence.

Judge Mathis was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident. But because the vehicle is registered to him Mathis could be facing a civil lawsuit.

Mathis lives in metro Detroit. Action News stopped by his home and placed several calls to his production company. Our calls were not returned.

The man who was severely hurt in the accident is expected to survive, but he is still attached to a ventilator and cannot speak.