AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) - More than a month after an accident that left him hospitalized, Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson has now been ticketed for failing to wear a seat belt.

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

Patterson, 73, was a passenger in a car that was involved in an accident at Walton and Opdyke roads in August.

Patterson suffered several broken bones and a gash to his scalp and spent about a month in the hospital. He was released last week and is now undergoing physical rehabilitation.

His driver, retired Michigan State Trooper James Cram, has not been issued a ticket. Auburn Hills police officials said Cram suffered serious injuries and “is not in a position to handle a traffic citation at this time.”

The driver of a Volkswagen that struck Patterson’s car has been charged in the crash. An injured passenger in that vehicle was the only person involved who was wearing a seat belt.