Bartender with EXPIRED License Arrested for DWI

Around 3:08 AM on May 8, 2023, Sergeant Michael Gramlich of the Lambertville Police Department observed a 2012 Kia Forte driving without headlights in the vicinity of Bridge Street and South Union Street. As he followed the vehicle, he noticed erratic driving patterns, and proceeded to initiate a traffic stop on Route 179 North. Upon making contact with the driver, 25-year-old Angela Amato, he noticed that the driver was incoherent while he detected the odor of alcohol within the vehicle. Angela told the officer that she worked at The Pineville Tavern, a bar in Pineville, Pennsylvania. She also told him that she had just left John & Peter’s, a bar just across the Delaware River in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Based on his suspicion of impairment, Sergeant Gramlich offered Angela the opportunity to perform field sobriety exercises. The first exercise involved the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test. Sergeant Gramlich observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. The second exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Angela began the test before she was instructed to do so, failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion, and continued swaying and while struggling to maintain her balance. Once she had counted to 12, she started counting from 1 again, until she counted aloud to 30. The third exercise was the Walk and Turn test, and Angela failed to walk heel-to-toe and did not take the correct number of steps. The final test was the recitation of the alphabet without singing. Angela recited the alphabet by singing it and dancing in place, contrary to what she was instructed to do.

Based on her erratic driving patterns, inconsistent statements, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Sergeant Gramlich placed Angela under arrest for driving under the influence. After she was placed under arrest, her vehicle was searched and Sergeant Gramlich transported Angela to the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Department.

Once they were at the Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Department, he read Angela the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to provide breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.16%, which was double the legal limit of 0.08%. After Angela finished the breathalyzer test, she was transported back to Lambertville Police Headquarters by Sergeant Gramlich.

At Lambertville Police HQ, her mugshots were taken and the necessary paperwork was completed. After they were finished with processing her, Angela was released to a sober person after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf. Sergeant Gramlich issued Angela the following court summonses: Operating under the influence, careless driving, failure to possess driver’s license, and improper lighting equipment.

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