Pregnant Woman Arrested for DWI after Car Crash

On the evening of January 19, 2022, officers with the West Windsor Township Police Department were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Route 1 North and Carnegie Center Boulevard. As Patrolman Edward McQuade approached the scene, he initially made contact with the driver of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, who was identified 27-year-old Samantha Santos. Samantha was able to provide a copy of her auto insurance, and she told Patrolman McQuade that she had no recollection of what occurred in the moments before the rear-end collision.

He proceeded to make contact with the driver of the 2021 Honda Accord, who told the officer that his vehicle was struck from behind as he was stopped at a traffic light in the center lane on Route 1 North. Patrolman McQuade asked for identification from the other 2 occupants of his car and documented their vehicle’s involvement in the car crash. He advised the other driver that the police report would be ready soon and he could settle the accident with his insurance company.

Since he had noticed that Samantha’s passenger was attempting to conceal some items in a bag as the officer approached them, he suspected that they may be in possession of prohibited items and began his investigation. Within a few minutes, Sergeant Francesco LaTorre, Sergeant Lee Brodowski, Patrolman Frank Zicha, and his K-9 partner Hodge arrived on scene to assist. Based upon their suspicion of impairment, the officers offered Samantha an opportunity to participate in field sobriety exercises.

Patrolman McQuade started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and he noticed a lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Samantha did not walk heel-to-toe in a straight line. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Samantha displayed a lack of balance, used her arms for balance, and put her foot down 3 times.

Around this time, Patrolman Zicha instructed his K-9 partner Hodge to perform a sniff of the exterior of the Hyundai. The K-9 indicated a positive finding, so officers proceeded to conduct a full search of the vehicle. Based on her slurred speech and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman McQuade placed Samantha under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Patrolman McQuade and Patrolman McQuade subsequently transported Samantha to the West Windsor Township Police Department for processing.

At police HQ, Samantha was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.0%, so officers suspected that she was probably impaired by another substance. Patrolman McQuade called into the Court Smart line and Hightstown Municipal Court Judge Seth Kurs granted him a court warrant to collect samples of her blood and urine. Samantha was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for the collection of those specimens.

Once the blood and urine specimens were collected by the nurse, Samantha was transported back to West Windsor Township Police headquarters. After they finished processing Samantha and police headquarters, she was released to a sober adult pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf. Patrolman McQuade issued her the following summonses: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, and careless driving. Samantha was also charged with being in possession of a controlled substance under 2C:35-10A.

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