Bartender Arrested for DWI after Running out of Gas

Around 11:36 PM on January 10, 2022, Patrolman James Reydel of the Pequannock Township Police Department was on patrol and observed a 2016 Jeep Compass in the shoulder of Route 23 South near the intersection with Newark Pompton Turnpike. He initially notified dispatch that there was a disabled vehicle. He made contact with the driver, 30-year-old Marissa Guthrie, who proceeded to tell him that she had finished her shift as a bartender at The Thirsty Turtle in Florham Park and that her vehicle was out of gas. She initially denied being under the influence, but later admitted to drinking 1 glass of wine in the hours prior.

Sergeant Daniel Russell arrived on scene to assist with the traffic stop. Marissa seemed to display a lack of balance and Patrolman Reydel detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her person. Based on his suspicion of impairment, he asked Marissa to perform standardized field sobriety exercises.

The first field sobriety exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During this exercise, Marissa displayed a lack of balance put her foot down twice in a 30-second time period. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Marissa did not start in the proper position and seemed to lose her balance when she was turning. Sergeant Russell afforded Marissa another opportunity to repeat the tests, but she failed to complete them satisfactorily. On her second attempt, Marissa took 12 steps forward and failed to stay on the line. The third exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, which was administered by Sergeant Russell. During the HGN test, Sergeant Russell observed a lack of smooth pursuit and distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes.

Based on his observations and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Reydel placed Marissa under arrest for driving under the influence. A search of her vehicle revealed the presence of containers of alcohol. Marissa was transported by Patrolman Reydel to the Riverdale Police Department to administer the breathalyzer test. At Riverdale Police HQ, they read Marissa the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to provide breath samples. Patrolman Nicholas Schreck administered the breathalyzer machine. Marissa’s Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.22%, nearly triple the legal limit of 0.08%.

After Marissa completed the breathalyzer test, she was transported back to Pequannock Township Police Headquarters for further processing. After she was photographed and issued her citations, she was driven home by Patrolman Reydel and released to her fiancé after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf. Patrolman Reydel issued Marissa the following summonses: Operating under the influence, careless driving, and expired license.

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