Two Cincinnatians will help roll out the ninth season of Judge Judy today in a case about an ex-couple and a car crash.

In the episode, 26-year-old Bree Berry is suing former live-in love John Hayden Jr., 28, alleging he took her car without permission and crashed it into three telephone poles.

Under questioning from Judge Judy Sheindlin, Hayden says he left for work earlier than usual on the day of the incident, and that he sometimes falls asleep at the wheel. When pressed, he says he was being treated for methadone use, prompting Sheindlin to scold Berry - the mother of a 5-year-old - for allowing Hayden to move in with her.

Show representatives would not disclose the outcome of the case, but they did say Sheindlin will dole out such digs as, "I want you to trust me: on your best day, you're not as good as me on my worst day."

The new season of Judge Judy begins at 4 p.m. today on Channel 5 and at 5 p.m. on Channel 22 The episode featuring Berry and Hayden airs at 4:30 p.m.on Channel 5 and at 5:30 p.m. on Channel 2.

Lauren Bishop