Cop’s Girlfriend TOTALS Nissan Rogue before DWI Arrest

Around 12:20 AM on April 15, 2022, Officer David Went of the Westfield Police Department was dispatched to the site of a disabled motor vehicle at the intersection of Raymond Street and Mountain Avenue. Upon approaching the 2018 Nissan Rogue, Officer Went noticed that there was airbag deployment and the passenger’s side rim and tire were severely damaged from striking the rocks nearby. Officer Nicolas Bagan, Officer Samuel Forre, and Sergeant Gregory Penn arrived shortly afterwards to assist. The driver of the vehicle, 31-year-old Yanell Barrientos, told the officer that she was unable to properly navigate the right turn from Mountain Avenue to Raymond Street. She also admitted to Officer Went that she had consumed 3 drinks at a restaurant earlier that night before heading home.

The Westfield Fire Department arrived at the scene to evaluate Yanell, and she ultimately declined medical attention. Based on his suspicion of impairment however, Officer Went offered Yanell the opportunity to perform field sobriety exercises. Sergeant Penn and Officer Bagan assisted with the field sobriety exercises.

The first exercise involved the recitation of the alphabet from D to W, but Yanell failed to follow instructions and recited it from C to Z. The second exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, which were performed 2 separate times by Officer Went and Officer Fourre. During the HGN test, the Officers noticed 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 third exercise was the Walk and Turn test, and Yanell did not walk heel-to-toe or keep her arms at her side, while failing to utilize the yellow lines properly. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Yanell did not raise her foot in the proper fashion while swaying and putting her foot down multiple times.

Based on her disabled vehicle, inconsistent statements, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Went told Yanell she was going to be placed under arrest for driving under the influence. After a short struggle, Sergeant Penn was able to get the handcuffs on her, and Officer Went escorted her to the patrol car. Officer Fourre remained on scene until the vehicle was towed for a mandatory 12-hour hold as required by John’s Law.

Yanell was transported by Officer Went to Westfield Police Headquarters. Once at police HQ, she was searched by Lieutenant Nicole Stivale. Officer Bagan read Yanell the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to provide breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.14%, which was above the legal limit of 0.08%.

While she was being processed, she admitted to drinking at the Stage House Tavern in Mountainside earlier that evening. After Yanell was processed, she was released to a sober individual after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf. Officer Went issued Yanell the following summonses: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, and careless driving.

Court records indicate that on July 28, 2022, Yanell was found guilty of operating under the influence and fined a total of $790. Her license was revoked for 3 months, and she had to complete 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center. The other 2 citations were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

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