Drunken Socialist (and Bernie Supporter) Arrested for DWI after Sleeping in her Car

Around 1:34 AM on August 3, 2022, Officer Alex Adkins of the Franklin Township Police Department was dispatched to the scene of an idling vehicle on Amwell Road. As he approached the 2007 Toyota Corolla, he observed that the driver, 32-year-old Samantha Cote, happened to be asleep at the wheel while exhibiting signs of impairment. Officer Lila Madama arrived on scene moments later to assist. Samantha would later admit to drinking alcohol at an event hosted by her coworker.

Officer Adkins called for a BLS unit to respond and assess Samantha’s mentation before proceeding further. As she was evaluated by first responders, he found prescription medications as well as an open container of a Raspberry Iced Tea in her vehicle. After they were finished with their evaluation and Samantha declined to be transported to the hospital, officers were able to proceed with the next steps in their investigation.

Based on her indicators of impairment, Officer Adkins offered Samantha the opportunity to perform field sobriety exercises. The first exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During this exercise, Samantha did not walk heel-to-toe, failed to walk in a straight line, and did not take the correct number of steps as instructed. The second exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Samantha did not raise her foot while she placed her arms out to her sides for balance.

Based on her admission to coming consuming alcohol, her incoherent speech, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Adkins placed Samantha under arrest for driving under the influence. After she was placed under arrest, she was patted down by Officer Madama. Officer Madama subsequently searched her vehicle, and remained on scene until the vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law.

Samantha was transported by Officer Adkins to the Franklin Township Police Headquarters. An officer read her the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators form, and Samantha subsequently agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Officer Marcelo Dos Reis administered the breathalyzer, and Samantha’s Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.19%, which is more than double the legal limit of 0.08%.

After she was processed, Samantha was released to a sober individual after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Samantha’s behalf. Officer Adkins issued Samantha the following summonses: Operating under the influence, open container of alcohol, and air pollution (idling vehicle).

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