High School Dropout Unable to Recite the Alphabet during DWI Arrest

Press Release:

On Sunday, January 29, 2023 at approximately 12:38 AM, Jessica A. Bowes, 39 years old from Washington Street in Phillipsburg, NJ was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, careless driving, unregistered vehicle, unlicensed driver and possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage. Bowes was released with a court date of February 08, 2023. Patrolman Bereheiko is the arresting officer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My own summary (paraphrased):

On January 29, 2023, around 12:38 AM, Officer Bereheiko of the Lambertville Police Department was on patrol on Bridge Street. He spotted a Toyota Rav4 with an expired registration and he also observed the vehicle driving erratically. He then activated his lights and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. Dispatch was advised of the traffic stop in advance. As he approached the driver, identified as Jessica Bowes, he could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage from the Rav4. At this time, he noticed an open airplane size bottle of New Amsterdam Vodka, Coconut flavored, in the center console area, in reach of Bowes. Bowes’ eyes were also blood shot and watery. When he asked Bowes how much she had to drink, she admitted to drinking a single glass of wine. She also stated that she was coming from her 20-year high school reunion. At this time, he returned to his vehicle and requested DCpl. Bast to respond and help to administer Standard Field Sobriety Tests.

The officer subsequently requested Ms. Bowes to exit the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. Bowes was told to recite the alphabet A-Z without singing or rhyming. After the officer demonstrated it and asked what Bowes’ highest level of education was, she informed the officer that she dropped out of high school. When Bowes was told to do the best she could on reciting the alphabet, she recited A, B, C, D, E, F, G, F, I, G, H, E, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, G, B, K, L, M, N, O, G…

The next test was the one legged stand, which Officer Bereheiko demonstrated in advance. When Bowes was asked to begin, she stumbled shortly after starting the test. Bowes then chose to take the next test, which was the walk and turn. Officer Bereheiko instructed Bowes on how to take nine heel-to-toe steps forward on her ninth step she was to pivot and take nine steps back, while counting each step. Bowes was crossing her legs and completely over shooting her other foot during the test.

After the walk and turn, DCpl. Bast performed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test on Bowes. Both eyes were glassy and bloodshot, with equal pupil size. She had no resting nystagmus in either eye and both her left and right eyes were tracking equally. Both eyes had a lack of smooth pursuit as she followed DCpl. Bast’s finger, and he also observed distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both her left and right eye. Next, he observed nystagmus with onset prior to 45 degrees in both the left and right eye. Finally, he observed nystagmus in both of her eyes during vertical testing.

After completing the tests, Bowes was asked how she believed she did. She agreed that her performance was not satisfactory, and she was subsequently placed under arrest for allegedly driving under the influence. After the Officer recovered the airplane size bottle of vodka, the vodka was placed in an evidence bag and transported back to HQ. At HQ, the vodka was photographed and destroyed. The vehicle was towed following Bowes’ arrest.

At Police HQ, Ms. Bowes agreed to provide samples of her breath for testing. She waived her Miranda Rights at HCSD before the second questionnaire. The Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C reported breath test results of .13% BAC. Ms. Bowes was subsequently advised of her motor vehicle summonses and mandatory court date and issued the following tickets: Driving While Intoxicated, Expired Registration, Careless Driving, and Open Container. After she was processed and held at HCSD, she was subsequently released to her William Lannigan after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please remember to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and continue supporting this channel.

Our content is educational and in compliance with YouTube's Fair Use Policy because we edit several long clips into a concise story. This is similar to other channels on YouTube. All videos and case documents were obtained pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2001, c. 404). Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

This video advances a compelling public interest. The summary was based on records that are “open to public view through open access to public records” as defined Salzano vs. North Jersey Media Group.