Former Cop's Granddaughter Arrested for DWI in Wildwood Crest, NJ

Around 3:47 AM on May 14, 2022, Corporal Grant Hofferica with the Wildwood Crest Police Department observed a 2011 Nissan Rogue fail to stop at a red light at the intersection of Rosemary Road and New Jersey Avenue before later turning west onto Forget-me-not Road. He activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop as the vehicle turned north onto Park Boulevard. After she pulled over, Corporal Hofferica made contact with the driver, who was identified as 21-year-old Gianna.

Gianna was asked for her documents, and she presented cards indicating that her grandfather was a retired cop from Gloucester Township while her family friend was a State Trooper. As Corporal Hofferica was speaking with her, he detected the odor of alcohol. Gianna said she was headed home and admitted to consuming alcohol earlier that evening. As he returned to his patrol car to check her documents, another officer arrived on scene to assist. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Corporal Hofferica asked Gianna to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Corporal Hofferica observed the 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, Gianna failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and took an incorrect number of steps. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Gianna failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and failed to keep her arms at her sides.

Based on her traffic infraction, the odor of alcohol on her person, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Corporal Hofferica placed Gianna under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under Law. She was transported by Corporal Hofferica to the Wildwood Crest Police Department for further processing.

At police HQ, Gianna was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.11%, which was over the legal limit of 0.08%. After they were finished with processing her, Gianna was eventually released to a sober adult after they signed the Potential Liability Warning Form on her behalf. She was issued the following summonses: Operating under the influence, careless driving, and failure to observe traffic control device.

Court records indicate that on August 9, 2022, Gianna was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result of being found guilty, Gianna was required to spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, and pay a total of $640 in fines. The other 2 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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